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Brendan Nyhan

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Brendan Nyhan is an American political scientist and professor at Dartmouth College. He is also a liberal to moderate political… more

H-index: 51
Political science 39%
Sociology 22%
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by Brendan Nyhan — Reposted by: David R. Miller

brendannyhan.bsky.social
It's almost as if this is a BS case filed by a hack ex-insurance lawyer brought in because she is a willing apparatchik
emptywheel.bsky.social
emptywheel @emptywheel.bsky.social · 4h
I feel like we should have a betting pool not on WHEN the Comey case blows up in spectacular fashion, but the specific means by which it does so.

abcnews.go.com/US/central-w...
Prosecutors further expressed concerns about the department's ability to take the case to trial quickly due to problems identifying all the relevant materials that would need to be handed over to Comey's lawyers, sources said. They also raised alarms over the potential for Comey's defense to cite the statute of limitations for the case, which derives from testimony in 2017 and was only reinforced by Comey during his 2020 testimony in response to a question from Republican Sen. Ted Cruz.
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by Brendan Nyhan — Reposted by: Linda J. Skitka, Efrén O. Pérez, Daniel Stone , and 2 more

brendannyhan.bsky.social
Resistance to authoritarianism is a coordination game. That's why universities and law firms and nonprofits can't let themselves be picked off one by one. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/08/o...
Opinion | You Beat Trumpism by Banding Together. It’s as Hard and as Simple as That.
www.nytimes.com
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by Brendan Nyhan — Reposted by: David R. Miller, David Darmofal

brendannyhan.bsky.social
Weaponizing the Justice Department. Happening right in front of us. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
13 110 340

Reposted by: Brendan Nyhan, Laurent Pech, David R. Miller

stevelevitsky.bsky.social
They are not Trump's enemies. They are critics and opponents. He sees them as enemies, because that's how autocrats perceive their critics. NYT should not repeat and normalize authoritarian discourse.

How Trump Is Using the Justice Department to Target His Enemies www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
How Trump Is Using the Justice Department to Target His Enemies
President Trump has long spoken of seeking vengeance against his political enemies. Here’s a list of whom he is targeting.
www.nytimes.com
10 75 210

Reposted by: Brendan Nyhan

emptywheel.bsky.social
I feel like we should have a betting pool not on WHEN the Comey case blows up in spectacular fashion, but the specific means by which it does so.

abcnews.go.com/US/central-w...
Prosecutors further expressed concerns about the department's ability to take the case to trial quickly due to problems identifying all the relevant materials that would need to be handed over to Comey's lawyers, sources said. They also raised alarms over the potential for Comey's defense to cite the statute of limitations for the case, which derives from testimony in 2017 and was only reinforced by Comey during his 2020 testimony in response to a question from Republican Sen. Ted Cruz.
16 120 550

by Nathan P. Kalmoe — Reposted by: Brendan Nyhan, Anna O. Law, Michael A. Clemens , and 1 more

nathankalmoe.bsky.social
apnews.com/article/myan...
Starving children screaming for food as US aid cuts unleash devastation and death across Myanmar
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has repeatedly said “no one has died" because of his government’s decision to gut its foreign aid program.
apnews.com
2 28 30

by Brendan Nyhan

by Brendan Nyhan

brendannyhan.bsky.social
The authoritarian threat is not just at the federal level
robertdownen.bsky.social
Robert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 23h
Citing the “martyrdom” of Charlie Kirk, Texas AG Ken Paxton says his office is pursuing sweeping undercover investigations into “leftist” groups. “To those demented souls who seek to kill, steal, and destroy our country, know this: you cannot hide, you cannot escape, and justice is coming."
"Leftist political terrorism is a clear and present danger. Corrupted ideologies like transgenderism and Antifa are a cancer on our culture and have unleashed their deranged and drugged-up foot soldiers on the American people," said Attorney General Paxton. "The martyrdom of Charlie Kirk marks a turning point in America. There can be no compromise with those who want us dead. To that end, I have directed my office to continue its efforts to identify, investigate, and infiltrate these leftist terror cells. To those demented souls who seek to kill, steal, and destroy our country, know this: you cannot hide, you cannot escape, and justice is coming." The radical Left has incubated an environment where political violence is not only justified but celebrated and praised. In July, nearly two dozen armed leftists connected to various Texas-based Antifa-like groups ambushed an Immigration and Customs Enforcement ("ICE") facility in Alvarado, Texas. On September 10, 2025, a leftist assassin connected to the radical transgender movement murdered Charlie Kirk because of Kirk's bold support for truth, love of country, and unshakable faith. Two weeks later, another deranged leftist opened fire at an ICE facility in Dallas. President Donald Trump has officially designated Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization and instructed his administration to "utilize all applicable authorities to investigate, disrupt, and dismantle any and all illegal operations — especially those involving terrorist actions — conducted by Antifa." Building on President Trump's bold actions, Attorney General Paxton has instructed his office to initiate sweeping investigations into radical leftist organizations engaged in or providing support to those performing political violence.
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by Brendan Nyhan — Reposted by: David Darmofal

brendannyhan.bsky.social
Is the mad king watching the History Channel or is this somehow part of the Kash Patel/Bongino clown show?
cnn.com
CNN @cnn.com · 15h
The Trump administration has ordered FBI employees in Washington, DC, to immediately search their workstations and digital media for any records pertaining to the disappearance of Amelia Earhart, a law enforcement source told CNN.
FBI employees ordered to immediately search for records related to Amelia Earhart, source says | CNN Politics
The Trump administration has ordered FBI employees in Washington, DC, to immediately search their workstations and digital media for any records pertaining to the disappearance of Amelia Earhart, a la...
www.cnn.com
15 13 110

by Brendan Nyhan — Reposted by: Brendan Nyhan, Joanna Bryson, Anna O. Law , and 11 more

brendannyhan.bsky.social
Monstrous.

"federal agents detained nearly every resident of the 130-unit building—including children and babies—placing them in zip ties and separating them by race into vans for more than two hours early Tuesday morning."
dlknowles.bsky.social
Daniel Knowles @dlknowles.bsky.social · 15h
Good reporting on the South Shore raid from South Side weekly here.

Confirms one thing I was told but didn't put in my own piece because I didn't have a second source and it seemed too insane: border agents segregated arrested residents by race

southsideweekly.com/federal-agen...
Federal Agents Storm South Shore Building, Detaining Families and Children
Families were woken by flashbangs and helicopters as hundreds of federal agents raided their homes. Days later, neighbors are still searching for the missing.
southsideweekly.com
32 630 1.3K

by Brendan Nyhan — Reposted by: Dan Immergluck

brendannyhan.bsky.social
Happening in America. Right now. To us.
jackjenkins.me
Jack Jenkins @jackjenkins.me · 16h
Gonna be thinking about this lede for a minute.
(RNS) — Last month, the Rev. David Black stood in front of a Chicago-area U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility and spread his arms wide. Adorned in all black and wearing a clerical collar, the pastor looked up at a group of masked, heavily armed ICE agents on the roof and began to pray. “I invited them to repentance,” Black, a minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA), said in an interview. “I basically offered an altar call. I invited them to come and receive that salvation, and be part of the kingdom that is coming.” But when Black began to lower his arms a few seconds later, the agents responded to his spiritual plea by firing pepper balls, or chemical agents that cause eye irritation and respiratory distress, video footage shows. One struck Black in the head, exploding into a puff of white pepper smoke and forcing him to his knees. Fellow demonstrators rushed to his aid, and as the pastor rubbed his face in pain, the agents continued to fire. “We could hear them laughing,” Black said.
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by Brendan Nyhan

brendannyhan.bsky.social
who?
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Reposted by: Brendan Nyhan

joshtpm.bsky.social
Boston Globe. “Longstanding policy” is federal law passed in 2019. www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/07/n...
27 150 650

by Brendan Nyhan

brendannyhan.bsky.social
Where we are as a country
darrigomelanie.bsky.social
Melanie D’Arrigo @darrigomelanie.bsky.social · 16h
I feel like this photo of masked, armed men pepper spraying a pastor protecting his community is going to be a defining picture of this moment in America for a long, long time.
2 18 75

Reposted by: Brendan Nyhan, Joanna Bryson, Michael D. McDonald , and 2 more

vt-vagabond.bsky.social
There’s a lot in here that deserves a pull quote, but this is the most egregious. I need people to recognize the gravity of the situation here in Chicago;
SOUTH SIDE WEEKLY Donate "The ones that are getting out are coming home to no home," Watson said. According to her, after the raid occurred, building management stole or threw out residents belongings, including visas and important documents. ICIRR is still trying to determine the identities of all the people detained in the raid. Castro said that the organization usually can do that by following up with family members or loved ones. "In this instance, there was nobody left to work with," she said. The only detainee name they're sure of is that of a person who passed their Venezuelan passport to a neighbor as they were being taken away.
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Reposted by: Brendan Nyhan, Norbert Schwarz, Peter Thorne , and 15 more

johnpfaff.bsky.social
Um, ICE just coldly shot an unarmed PRIEST in the head w a pepper ball when he (and everyone around him) clearly posed no threat.

For the crime of … complaining about government policy.

Core 1A speech.

With cameras rolling, they’re sniping priests for sport.
flglchicago.bsky.social
Kurt @flglchicago.bsky.social · 15h
Here’s video of the incident
850 8.9K 16K

Reposted by: Brendan Nyhan, Anna O. Law, Laurent Pech , and 1 more

johnpfaff.bsky.social
They said on-line isn’t real life, and Bluesky is a niche social media site.

But here is @akalhan.bsky.social getting “Kavanaugh Stops” into the Boston Globe!

With a pic of Kav looking a little petulant too (but then when doesn’t he?).

Glad to see this is sticking to him.
Critics of Trump’s immigration crackdown are using the term ‘Kavanaugh stop.’ Here’s what it means. - The Boston Globe
The phrase, is "a window into where [the administration] can go next," some advocates say.
www.bostonglobe.com
16 200 780

Reposted by: Brendan Nyhan, David Darmofal

cnn.com
The Trump administration has ordered FBI employees in Washington, DC, to immediately search their workstations and digital media for any records pertaining to the disappearance of Amelia Earhart, a law enforcement source told CNN.
FBI employees ordered to immediately search for records related to Amelia Earhart, source says | CNN Politics
The Trump administration has ordered FBI employees in Washington, DC, to immediately search their workstations and digital media for any records pertaining to the disappearance of Amelia Earhart, a la...
www.cnn.com
200 62 230

Reposted by: Brendan Nyhan, Joanna Bryson, Anna O. Law , and 10 more

dlknowles.bsky.social
Good reporting on the South Shore raid from South Side weekly here.

Confirms one thing I was told but didn't put in my own piece because I didn't have a second source and it seemed too insane: border agents segregated arrested residents by race

southsideweekly.com/federal-agen...
Federal Agents Storm South Shore Building, Detaining Families and Children
Families were woken by flashbangs and helicopters as hundreds of federal agents raided their homes. Days later, neighbors are still searching for the missing.
southsideweekly.com
140 2.8K 5.3K

Reposted by: Brendan Nyhan, Cas Mudde, Jan W. Mueller , and 26 more

flglchicago.bsky.social
Here’s video of the incident
230 1.6K 3.7K

Reposted by: Brendan Nyhan, Joanna Bryson, Jan W. Mueller , and 12 more

jackjenkins.me
Gonna be thinking about this lede for a minute.
(RNS) — Last month, the Rev. David Black stood in front of a Chicago-area U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility and spread his arms wide. Adorned in all black and wearing a clerical collar, the pastor looked up at a group of masked, heavily armed ICE agents on the roof and began to pray. “I invited them to repentance,” Black, a minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA), said in an interview. “I basically offered an altar call. I invited them to come and receive that salvation, and be part of the kingdom that is coming.” But when Black began to lower his arms a few seconds later, the agents responded to his spiritual plea by firing pepper balls, or chemical agents that cause eye irritation and respiratory distress, video footage shows. One struck Black in the head, exploding into a puff of white pepper smoke and forcing him to his knees. Fellow demonstrators rushed to his aid, and as the pastor rubbed his face in pain, the agents continued to fire. “We could hear them laughing,” Black said.
170 4.5K 9.8K

Reposted by: Brendan Nyhan, Anna O. Law, Rebecca Solnit , and 26 more

darrigomelanie.bsky.social
I feel like this photo of masked, armed men pepper spraying a pastor protecting his community is going to be a defining picture of this moment in America for a long, long time.
1.6K 19K 50K

Reposted by: Brendan Nyhan, Kimberly A. Prather, Rosemary A. Joyce , and 2 more

jackjenkins.me
NEW: I spoke to clergy and faith leaders who've joined protests at the Chicago-area ICE facility.

Three say they've been shot with pepper balls, sometimes while praying.

All say ICE is also violating their religious freedom, and one is arguing it in court. religionnews.com/2025/10/07/i...
Religious protesters say ICE threatens religious freedom in Chicago
(RNS) — Despite potential danger, religious leaders and faith activists have been a visible presence at Chicago-area ICE protests, some waving signs with slogans such as ‘Love thy neighbor’ and ‘Who w...
religionnews.com
50 1.1K 2.9K

by Brendan Nyhan — Reposted by: David R. Miller, Jason Lyall, David Darmofal

brendannyhan.bsky.social
Literally unconstitutional; Congress has the power of the purse under Article I. Trump is trying to create a personalist regime where every dollar of federal spending is allocated at his whim.
snipy.bsky.social
Lisa Needham @snipy.bsky.social · 17h
absolute mad king behavior here. singlehandedly raise taxes, then singlehandedly dole revenue out whenever advantageous
White House says it will use tariff revenue to fund federal food aid for mothers and young children | CNN Politics
The Trump administration said Tuesday it will use tariff funds to keep afloat a federal food assistance program for nearly 7 million pregnant women, new moms and young children during the government s...
www.cnn.com
15 110 360

Reposted by: Brendan Nyhan

annesosin.bsky.social
“Any institution that yields to these broad and intrusive demands would give up its legal rights and would forever be subservient to the whims of the government.” @brendannyhan.bsky.social & Lisa Fazio

www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
Trump sent a 'compact' to our universities. They should reject this devil's bargain.
Any institution that yields to these broad and intrusive demands would forever be subservient to the whims of the government.
www.msnbc.com
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by Brendan Nyhan — Reposted by: David R. Miller, Scott A. Imberman

brendannyhan.bsky.social
Happening right now. To us. In America.
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by Brendan Nyhan — Reposted by: David R. Miller

brendannyhan.bsky.social
The quiet part out loud
gingerkap23.bsky.social
Blanche Devereaux @gingerkap23.bsky.social · 19h
Miller oopsie doodled and said the quiet part out loud, talking about DT aka himself having “plenary authority”:

A plenary power or plenary authority is a complete and absolute power to take action on a particular issue, with no limitations
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by Josh Pasek — Reposted by: Brendan Nyhan

joshpasek.com
How should university boards prepare?

- Strategize in advance (could happen here)
- Leverage internal expertise (strategize with political scientists, public policy scholars and law faculty)
- Respond collectively and support one another
-Stay true to the mission

This is the real fiduciary duty!
jackiegardina.bsky.social
Jackie Gardina @jackiegardina.bsky.social · 17h
@joshpasek.com, @umich.edu, provides boards of trustees a roadmap for responding to external pressue, like the so-called Educational Compact.

@aaup.org @utaustinaaup.bsky.social @aaup-penn.bsky.social

riverside.fm/shared/expor...
One thing boards can d... | Oct 7, 2025 001 - Riverside - HD Podcast & Video Software
riverside.fm
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Reposted by: Brendan Nyhan, Richard S.J. Tol, Rebecca Tushnet

emilypont.bsky.social
Some additional info on the new list of axed DOE projects circulating.
- All 7 H2 Hubs
- All 13 IRA grants to convert at-risk auto plants to EV mfg
- 11 of 15 grants to speed domestic clean energy mfg in former coal communities
- 10 of 38 grants for battery materials
heatmap.news/politics/doe...
Trump to Axe All 7 Hydrogen Hubs, Bucking Bipartisan Law
A new list of Department of Energy grants slated for termination will hit clean energy and oil majors alike, including Exxon and Chevron.
heatmap.news
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Reposted by: Brendan Nyhan

snipy.bsky.social
absolute mad king behavior here. singlehandedly raise taxes, then singlehandedly dole revenue out whenever advantageous
White House says it will use tariff revenue to fund federal food aid for mothers and young children | CNN Politics
The Trump administration said Tuesday it will use tariff funds to keep afloat a federal food assistance program for nearly 7 million pregnant women, new moms and young children during the government s...
www.cnn.com
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References

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