Scholar
LightNews

Alison Johnson

Videos
H-index: 20
Communication & Media Studies 18%
Philosophy 13%
more

Reposted by Alison Johnson, Mark A. Lemley, David R. Miller , and 10 more

denisedwheeler.bsky.social
Reuters photographer Jonathan Ernst noticed that Bondi flipped open a file during the Senate hearing and he zoomed in.

Inside were her crib notes for attacking the senators.

The GOP now practicing Cliff's Notes Fascism

In other words, under oath Bondi was purely a performance.
Bondi senate hearing had a folder full of notes for attacking the senators Bondi senate hearing had a folder full of notes for attacking the senators Bondi senate hearing had a folder full of notes for attacking the senators Bondi senate hearing had a folder full of notes for attacking the senators
790 6.9K 16K

by Alison Johnson

aljwriter.bsky.social
Great phrasing!! I recently had this experience with some rando guy who wanted me to audience for him, including the expectation that I would take time to look at a picture on his phone on the subject he was talking at me about. Nope. 🙄
8

Reposted by Alison Johnson, Rebecca Solnit, Richard S.J. Tol , and 26 more

asharangappa.bsky.social
I can’t believe I’m watching interviews of city mayors talking about how they are coordinating with other mayors to discuss how to protect their residents FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

I know we are “used to it” but it is absolutely insane
1.5K 18K 60K

Reposted by Alison Johnson, Daniel W. Drezner, Scott A. Imberman

radleybalko.bsky.social
I’m really grateful for Pritzker. But that he’s so good at this also makes clear just how badly most other Democrats are failing to meet the moment.
govpritzker.illinois.gov
Governor JB Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov · 15d
In any other country, if federal agents fired upon journalists when unprovoked — what would we call it?

If federal agents marched down streets demanding papers — what would we say?

Authoritarianism — let’s not pretend it’s something else when it happens in our American cities.
55 710 4.3K

Reposted by Alison Johnson, John McLaren, Daniel W. Drezner , and 9 more

jamellebouie.net
yeah they're just murdering random people on these boats
mpaarlberg.bsky.social
Michael Paarlberg @mpaarlberg.bsky.social · 15d
I think the Trump admin assumed no one would try to find out who the people on the boats they blew up really were
160 4.7K 15K

Reposted by Alison Johnson

jbf1755.bsky.social
They do not have enough popular support.

So they are trying to outlaw / silence opposition.

And that’s where we are.

Pushing back has never mattered more.
78 1.3K 4.5K

Reposted by Alison Johnson

clairewillett.bsky.social
"At the end of the day, this may be a show of force, but that’s all it is: a big show. And after a big show, everyone goes home. That’s what I want to see happen here."

I feel like this letter that just went out from Portland Mayor Keith Wilson is pretty good??
A Message from Mayor Wilson
content.govdelivery.com
2 70 230

Reposted by Alison Johnson, Juan Cole, Virginia Sapiro

debhaalandnm.bsky.social
Military service is about courage and sacrifice. That’s what my father, a Marine, and my mother, a Navy veteran, taught me.

But awarding medals for the massacre at Wounded Knee is cruelty, not honor. And reaffirming them today only deepens the injustice. (1/2🧵)
21 440 1.5K

by Timothy Snyder — Reposted by Alison Johnson, Nancy Kanwisher, Juliet B. Schor , and 12 more

timothysnyder.bsky.social
Why do headlines say "norms shattered" when what is meant is "laws broken" or "Constitution violated"?
830 7.6K 27K

Reposted by Alison Johnson

jasondogwood.bsky.social
Today in 1957, the Little Rock Nine walked through hate with soldiers at their side. Only Ernest Green left that high school with a diploma. The rest were driven out. Now we gut schools, ban truth and call it freedom. The mob never left, it just changed its mask. #Resist
The Little Rock Nine entering school in 1957
35 470 1K

Reposted by Alison Johnson

tvmojoe.bsky.social
So @jimmykimmel.com's first words back tonight--"As I was saying..."-- were an homage to Tonight Show host Jack Paar, who used those words when he returned after walking out on his show in a censorship dispute with NBC. From 65 years ago:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrhQ...
Jack paar returns to the Tonight Show [partial Higher quality footage] (March 7, 1960)
YouTube video by Random TV and News Archives
www.youtube.com
10 210 680

by Scott L. Greer — Reposted by Alison Johnson, Anna O. Law, Kim L. Scheppele , and 26 more

scottlgreer.bsky.social
“52% of all autocratization episodes become U-Turns, which increases to 73% when focusing on the last 30 years. The vast majority of U-Turns (90%) lead to restored or even improved levels of democracy”

V-Dem data
When autocratization is reversed: episodes of U-Turns since 1900
The world is in a “wave of autocratization.” Yet, recent events in Brazil, the Maldives, and Zambia demonstrate that autocratization can be halted and reversed. This article introduces “U-Turn” as ...
www.tandfonline.com
38 480 1.4K

Reposted by Alison Johnson, Colin F. Camerer

nickknudsenus.bsky.social
Pause your doomscrolling and listen to this story.
130 1.3K 3.6K

Reposted by Alison Johnson, Anna O. Law, Rosemary A. Joyce , and 6 more

asharangappa.bsky.social
I know it's frustrating when lawyers point out when something the administration is doing is not legal. But responding with "the law doesn't matter anymore" is really unhelpful and defeatist. Clarifying the law is important because it reminds us not to comply in advance and to resist and take action
370 2.1K 9K

by Alison Johnson

aljwriter.bsky.social
“The extended MAGA cinematic universe” - love this wording - it helps me cope with what we are living through. Thank you! 🌷
3

Reposted by Alison Johnson, Nicole Dubilier, Stacy D. VanDeveer , and 2 more

chadbourn.bsky.social
When journalism was cool. And risked everything to challenge power.
Robert Redford on the phone, plus Dustin Hoffman. From All the President’s Men
360 3.2K 14K

Reposted by Alison Johnson

View post

Reposted by Alison Johnson, Norbert Schwarz, Jonathan A. Eisen , and 12 more

atrupar.com
Elizabeth Warren on people who say Dems needs to tone down their rhetoric: "Oh, please. Why don't you start with the president of the United States? And every ugly meme he's posted and every ugly word."
2.3K 21K 84K

Reposted by Alison Johnson, Stephen M. Walt, Nina Jankowicz , and 24 more

stevenbeschloss.bsky.social
This is an actual exchange from a VP who took an oath to defend the constitution and, as a citizen, is expected to abide by the law.

May we one day have accountability for the grotesque lawlessness of this regime.
2.1K 10K 33K

by Alison Johnson

aljwriter.bsky.social
I call my mammo “Ironing Board Day”. 😉
1

Reposted by Alison Johnson, Robert C. Richards

snelsonus.bsky.social
Great news! The Baltimore Museum of Art is taking “Amy Sherald: American Sublime,” which was originally scheduled to take place at the National Portrait Gallery. artbma.org/exhibition/a...
60 780 4.7K

Reposted by Alison Johnson

mskellymhayes.bsky.social
That’s why we created this worksheet, and why I’m organizing workshops this week, including one on facilitating people’s assemblies.
Mapping Community Defense and Care in Our Neighborhoods
This worksheet can help us prepare for Trump's military interventions at the neighborhood level.
organizingmythoughts.org
8 97 230

by Alison Johnson

aljwriter.bsky.social
The Great Unraveling.
1

by Alison Johnson

aljwriter.bsky.social
And it fits with the way the Occupant has so much gold for his decor - like a seven year old boy’s idea of what being rich looks like. 😒
2

Reposted by Alison Johnson, Rebecca Solnit, Will Jennings , and 20 more

jamellebouie.net
i find this image so fascinating. it is both a literal example of authoritarianism but also a second-hand reproduction of the aesthetics of other authoritarian states. it's like a simulacra of authoritarianism whose purpose is to attempt to make the simulacra real.
mclem.org
Michael Clemens @mclem.org · Aug 28
This is a real photograph of Washington, DC this week, where the United States president has ordered military occupation in peacetime, and ordered the display of colossal portraits of himself.

www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Washington, DC under military occupation in last August 2025, with banners proclaiming the absolute power of the primus inter pares
800 6.3K 23K

Reposted by Alison Johnson, Kim L. Scheppele, Arlene Stein , and 1 more

moiradonegan.bsky.social
I have found a lot of use for Melinda Cooper’s concept of the anti-social state: a government that exists only to extract wealth and inflict violence, and dismantles all its pro-social and life-enabling functions. www.dissentmagazine.org/online_artic...
22 450 1.6K

Reposted by Alison Johnson, Iain Davidson

mrsbettybowers.bsky.social
RULE ABOUT AMERICAN FLAGS:

If you burn the fabric part, you're looking at jail.

But it you use the pole part to assault a police officer, you get a presidential pardon, praise, and some cash.
750 6.5K 21K

Reposted by Alison Johnson, W Grant

civilwarmemory.bsky.social
This report is devastating: "There are no longer ranger-guided tours for school groups at Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Park in Hodgenville, Ky., which the town’s mayor, James B. Phelps Jr., described as 'a vital education opportunity.'" #NationalParks www.nytimes.com/2025/08/27/u...
Trump Shrank Staffing of National Parks. See How Many Are Struggling.
www.nytimes.com
3 21 72

Reposted by Alison Johnson

andreapitzer.bsky.social
I wrote about what happens when Trump is gone, and how remembering that he *will* be gone before you might help shape what kind of actions to think about taking today.
degenerateart.beehiiv.com/p/when-trump...
Newspaper text reading "STALIN DEAD, The Trajectory of His Long Career, STRONG HINT OF SUCCESSOR, Stricken Leader Dies After 4 Days, Pravda Mentions Malenkov's Name."
15 76 260

Reposted by Alison Johnson, Steve Peers, Shawn Cole , and 6 more

jamellebouie.net
this stuff is such a disgrace. a free citizen of a free country should be ashamed to engage in it.
atrupar.com
Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · Aug 26
Lori Chavez-DeRemer: "Mr President, I invite you see your big beautiful face on a banner in front of the Department of Labor because you are really the transformational president of the American worker, along with the American flag and President Roosevelt."
930 2.2K 13K

References

Fields & subjects

Updated 1m