James Lindley Wilson
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jameslwilson.bsky.social
James Lindley Wilson
@jameslwilson.bsky.social
970 followers 150 following 370 posts

Political Science prof at University of Chicago. Democratic theory, egalitarianism, global justice. Will hammer like button on any dog pics.

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James Quinn Wilson was an American political scientist and an authority on public administration. Most of his career was spent as a professor at UCLA and Harvard University. He was the chairman of the Council of Academic Advisors of the American Enterprise Institute, member of the President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board (1985–1990), and the President's Council on Bioethics. He was Director of Joint Center for Urban Studies at Harvard-MIT. .. more

Political science 59%
Sociology 22%
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Reposted by Stephen M. Walt, Joanna Bryson, James Q. Wilson , and 12 more

donmoyn.bsky.social
Don Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · 4d
The elimination of USAID was an unforgivable moral atrocity that should haunt Trump, Elon Musk and Marco Rubio for the rest of their days and beyond

jameslwilson.bsky.social
James Lindley Wilson @jameslwilson.bsky.social · 4d
Coming to bookstores this spring: "If I Did It," by Sandwich Guy.
jamieson.bsky.social Dave Jamieson @jamieson.bsky.social · 4d
🚨🚨🚨 The jury has reached a verdict. Sean Dunn, aka the DC Sandwich Guy, has been found NOT GUILTY of assault.

Reposted by James Q. Wilson, Will Jennings, Brendan Nyhan , and 9 more

jamieson.bsky.social
Dave Jamieson @jamieson.bsky.social · 4d
🚨🚨🚨 The jury has reached a verdict. Sean Dunn, aka the DC Sandwich Guy, has been found NOT GUILTY of assault.

Reposted by Anna O. Law, James Q. Wilson, Steve Peers , and 2 more

jonseidel.bsky.social
Jon Seidel @jonseidel.bsky.social · 4d
Ellis turns to the testimony of U.S. Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino. How he denied using force against a man he tackled and said he didn't see the Rev. David Black hit by pepperballs.

"More telling," she says, "defendant Bovino admitted that he lied."

jameslwilson.bsky.social
James Lindley Wilson @jameslwilson.bsky.social · 5d
They are so good at what they do.

Reposted by Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò

jameslwilson.bsky.social
James Lindley Wilson @jameslwilson.bsky.social · 5d
No need to kill--just come to Chicago (the amazing Chicago Diner):
Menu item from the Chicago diner (a vegetarian restaurant): Gyros: Pita bread, sliced seitan, onion, tomato, lettuce, and vegan tzatziki

jameslwilson.bsky.social
James Lindley Wilson @jameslwilson.bsky.social · 5d
I feel safer already.

Reposted by James Q. Wilson, Rebecca Tushnet, Nathan Richardson , and 1 more

veenadubal.bsky.social
Veena Dubal @veenadubal.bsky.social · 5d
Important new report out from AAUP & MESA, “The data…offers a detailed account of how landmark civil rights legislation – and particularly Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act – has become a primary tool to restrict speech on campus.”
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Surge in antisemitism investigations at US universities after October 7 attacks, data shows
A report shared exclusively with the Guardian documents how a civil rights law has become a tool to impose ideological priorities on US schools
www.theguardian.com

jameslwilson.bsky.social
James Lindley Wilson @jameslwilson.bsky.social · 6d
Popular front: hold your nose and support the Arsenal fan.

Reposted by Ben H. Ansell, James Q. Wilson, Steve Peers , and 7 more

stevevladeck.bsky.social
Steve Vladeck @stevevladeck.bsky.social · 6d
It's impossible to overstate how much of what ICE is doing on the ground reflects this completely preposterous conflation of hostile *speech* and hostile *conduct.*

The First Amendment protects—or, at least, is supposed to protect—the former up and until it's a "true threat," which none of this is.
robertscotthorton.bsky.social Scott Horton @robertscotthorton.bsky.social · 6d
From Bovino's deposition: (1) he calls protestors "violent" if they articulate views hostile to ICE, even if no violence is manifested; (2) he instructs his forces to attack and arrest protestors who express "hyperbolic comments," which is to say, criticism of ICE and Bovino.

Reposted by James Q. Wilson, Nicholas A. Christakis, Melanie C. Green , and 1 more

royalpratt.bsky.social
Gregory Pratt @royalpratt.bsky.social · 6d
A Border Patrol agent was caught on video telling another to throw tear gas “for fun,” according to a court filing. They also mocked protesters and residents who were getting gassed.

Reposted by Anna O. Law, James Q. Wilson, Steve Peers , and 3 more

donmoyn.bsky.social
Don Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · 7d
New, from me: DHS says immigration enforcement employees like ICE are facing unprecedented threats and 1000% increase in assaults. But the data does not add up. Look at the details, and we see state agents using excessive force, and then lying about it.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/whos-threa...
Who's Threatening Who?
The Trump administration says immigration enforcement are being assaulted; the details tell a different story
donmoynihan.substack.com

Reposted by James Q. Wilson, Gavin A. Schmidt, Ian Campbell , and 6 more

reichlinmelnick.bsky.social
Aaron Reichlin-Melnick @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social · 7d
In Chicago, a woman was driving to get coffee when a DHS vehicle fleeing an angry crowd crashed into her car. Armed agents jumped out of the vehicle, yanked her door open, pulled her by the legs out of her car at gunpoint, held her incommunicado for hours, then released her with no charges.
Dayanne Figueroa was on her way to get coffee before heading to work when she encountered a chaotic scene in West Town: heavily armed, masked federal agents making arrests on a residential street. People yelled as vehicles honked their horn — a sign now used to alert neighbors that immigration federal agents are in the area — and witnesses said federal agents had arrested several landscaper workers presumed to be in the country without authorization. As Figuero tried to drive through the 1600 block of West Hubbard Street on Friday, Oct. 10, an unmarked vehicle driven by federal agents collided with Figueroa’s as it tried to speed away from a hostile crowd, multiple videos reviewed by the Tribune show. Seconds after the crash, agents abruptly stopped their vehicle and exited with weapons in hand pointing at Figueroa, a U.S citizen. Agents then forcibly opened her door and pulled her out of the vehicle by her legs without identifying themselves, presenting a warrant or informing her that she was under arrest. As bystanders yelled, “You hit her! We have it on video!” agents ignored the crowd and forced Figueroa into a red minivan and drove away. Her car was left behind in the middle of the road, her coffee still in the cup holder, and her keys in plain view.

Reposted by Anna O. Law, James Q. Wilson, Will Jennings , and 7 more

petersagal.bsky.social
Peter Sagal @petersagal.bsky.social · 8d
And again, a pattern of putting out statements accusing people of serious Federal crimes and then releasing them hours or days or weeks later with no charges. And no retraction.
royalpratt.bsky.social Gregory Pratt @royalpratt.bsky.social · 8d
NEWS: Federal agents crashed with woman’s car, pointed guns at her, dragged her out by legs, tossed her in a minivan, held her and (eventually) let her go without charges. This as Chicagoans say the immigration blitz is out of control. (DHS blames her.)
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/03/c...
Chicago woman dragged out of her car after colliding with ICE demands accountability
The arrest of Dayanne Figueroa highlights growing concerns about the use of force against U.S. citizens and due process. She was released after a few hours without charges.
www.chicagotribune.com

Reposted by Anna O. Law, James Q. Wilson, Joe R. Feagin , and 13 more

latimes.com
Los Angeles Times @latimes.com · 8d
US citizen shot from behind as he warned ICE agents children would be coming to get bus, lawyers say
U.S. citizen shot from behind as he warned ICE agents about children gathering at bus stop, lawyers say
Lawyers for Carlos Jimenez said he was in fear after an agent threatened him with chemical spray, then pointed a gun at him.
www.latimes.com

jameslwilson.bsky.social
James Lindley Wilson @jameslwilson.bsky.social · 10d
Relatedly, I am once again calling for a movie or miniseries dramatizing a major slave rebellion (Denmark, General Gabriel, etc.)

jameslwilson.bsky.social
James Lindley Wilson @jameslwilson.bsky.social · 11d
I don't disagree. I just think it's not a fully adequate explanation of the wrong, which to me suggests that to explain the wrong one needs to admit that we do owe social justice/equality to foreigners.

jameslwilson.bsky.social
James Lindley Wilson @jameslwilson.bsky.social · 11d
I agree that's a top contender. But doesn't that seem pretty weak? When we racially discriminate against someone trying to immigrate, we don't violate any obligation to them, but violate an obligation to our own citizens?

jameslwilson.bsky.social
James Lindley Wilson @jameslwilson.bsky.social · 11d
Niche political theory reaction: can you explain why this is wrong while also holding that we do not owe duties of social justice (or social equality, if that's different) to foreigners?
reichlinmelnick.bsky.social Aaron Reichlin-Melnick @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social · 11d
NEW: Trump has announced that the US will admit the lowest level of refugees ever at 7,500 in FY 2026. The US will only be admitting as refugees White people from South Africa and "victims of illegal or unjust discrimination," which leaked memos suggest means far-right Europeans.
T H E W H I T E H OU S E W A S H I N G T O N S e p t e m b e r 3 0 , 2 0 2 5 P r e s i d e n t i a l D e t e r m i n a t i o n N o . _ _ _ _ _ _ 2 0 2 5 - 1 3 _ _ _ _ _ MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE THE SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SUBJECT: Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions for Fiscal Year 2026 By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, in accordance with section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1157), and after appropriate consultations with the Congress, I hereby make the following determinations and authorize the following actions: The admissions of up to 7,500 refugees to the United States during Fiscal Year 2026 is justified by humanitarian concerns or is otherwise in the national interest. The admissions numbers shall primarily be allocated among Afrikaners from South Africa pursuant to Executive Order 14204, and other victims of illegal or unjust discrimination in their respective homelands. Refugee admissions under this determination, which may reach but not exceed the numerical limit described herein, are in all respects subject to the requirements of other Presidential policies and actions, whether issued prior or subsequent to this determination. Those Presidential policies and actions include, but are not limited to: Executive Order 14161, which mandates that refugees receive the most stringent identification verification of any class of alien seeking admission or entry to the United States; Executive Order 14163, which suspends the entry into the United States of refugees other than when the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security jointly determine that an admission is in the national interest and does not threaten the security or welfare of the United States; Executive Order 14204, which provides for refugee resettlement of Afrikaners from South Africa who are victims of unjust racial discrimination; and …

Reposted by Anna O. Law, James Q. Wilson, Michael A. Clemens , and 4 more

reichlinmelnick.bsky.social
Aaron Reichlin-Melnick @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social · 11d
NEW: Trump has announced that the US will admit the lowest level of refugees ever at 7,500 in FY 2026. The US will only be admitting as refugees White people from South Africa and "victims of illegal or unjust discrimination," which leaked memos suggest means far-right Europeans.
T H E W H I T E H OU S E W A S H I N G T O N S e p t e m b e r 3 0 , 2 0 2 5 P r e s i d e n t i a l D e t e r m i n a t i o n N o . _ _ _ _ _ _ 2 0 2 5 - 1 3 _ _ _ _ _ MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE THE SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SUBJECT: Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions for Fiscal Year 2026 By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, in accordance with section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1157), and after appropriate consultations with the Congress, I hereby make the following determinations and authorize the following actions: The admissions of up to 7,500 refugees to the United States during Fiscal Year 2026 is justified by humanitarian concerns or is otherwise in the national interest. The admissions numbers shall primarily be allocated among Afrikaners from South Africa pursuant to Executive Order 14204, and other victims of illegal or unjust discrimination in their respective homelands. Refugee admissions under this determination, which may reach but not exceed the numerical limit described herein, are in all respects subject to the requirements of other Presidential policies and actions, whether issued prior or subsequent to this determination. Those Presidential policies and actions include, but are not limited to: Executive Order 14161, which mandates that refugees receive the most stringent identification verification of any class of alien seeking admission or entry to the United States; Executive Order 14163, which suspends the entry into the United States of refugees other than when the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security jointly determine that an admission is in the national interest and does not threaten the security or welfare of the United States; Executive Order 14204, which provides for refugee resettlement of Afrikaners from South Africa who are victims of unjust racial discrimination; and …

jameslwilson.bsky.social
James Lindley Wilson @jameslwilson.bsky.social · 11d
Shorter Hanania: we need a movement where intellectual standards are high enough that people I like are ruled out, but are low enough that I'm ruled in.

jameslwilson.bsky.social
James Lindley Wilson @jameslwilson.bsky.social · 11d
This is a dangerous headline, because the actual law profs questioned say it's a terrible argument, and they are only talking about it because they worry the Court might accept it (not because it's actually a good argument). The substance of the article is not too bad, but the framing is awful.

Reposted by Anna O. Law, James Q. Wilson, Will Jennings , and 1 more

brendannyhan.bsky.social
Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · 11d
84% of political science experts said creating such a force poses a threat to democracy, including 65% who said the threat was extraordinary or serious brightlinewatch.org/violence-red... However, it is overwhelmingly popular among Republicans brightlinewatch.org/violence-red...

jameslwilson.bsky.social
James Lindley Wilson @jameslwilson.bsky.social · 12d
"If I'm gonna lose, I might as well lose with dishonor."

Reposted by Anna O. Law, James Q. Wilson, David Feldman , and 1 more

jamellebouie.net
jamelle @jamellebouie.net · 12d
oh just straight up gutter racism!
justinbaragona.bsky.social Justin Baragona @justinbaragona.bsky.social · 12d
So here's Andrew Cuomo reacting to Maria Bartiromo wondering if Mamdani will "change the look of New York" and have Muslim women "completely covered up," telling her that Mamdani "doesn't understand New York culture" because he has "dual citizenship" and "he's a citizen of Uganda."

jameslwilson.bsky.social
James Lindley Wilson @jameslwilson.bsky.social · 12d
Elon's reading of the situation is basically Denethor's, and the one thing we know from Lord of the Rings is that that author definitely thinks Denethor had the right perspective.

Reposted by James Q. Wilson, Patrick Dunleavy, Robert W. Wallace , and 1 more

jowolff.bsky.social
Jo Wolff @jowolff.bsky.social · 13d
This is what happened to my Grandfather in Frankfurt, Germany on 9th November 1938, commonly known as Kristallnacht.
iwillnotbesilenced.bsky.social Raider @iwillnotbesilenced.bsky.social · 13d
In Portland, Oregon, masked ICE GOONS abducted and vanished US citizen Gonzalo Catalan last week. Tragically, his family remains unaware of his whereabouts and has not received any communication from him as of today.

Reposted by James Q. Wilson, Rosemary A. Joyce

joshuajfriedman.com
Joshua J. Friedman @joshuajfriedman.com · 13d
NEW: ACLU of Louisiana asks a federal judge to order the govt to immediately return Chanthila (Shawn) Souvannarath from Laos, to which it deported him over the weekend in violation of the judge's injunction. @acluoflouisiana.bsky.social www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND Petitioner Chanthila Souvannarath ("Petitioner" or "Mr. Souvannarath"), through his undersigned attorneys, asks this Court to enforce its October 23, 2025 Temporary Restraining Order. ECF No. 4. The Order stated that: "Respondents, their officers, agents, servants, employees, attorneys, and other persons acting on their behalf are immediately prohibited from removing Petitioner Chanthila Souvannarath from the United States and from transferring him out of the jurisdiction of this Court." Id. (emphasis added). That decision was premised on the fact that Mr. Souvannarath had made out a substantial claim to United States citizenship'-and yet, despite this Court's unequivocal order and Respondent's knowledge that Petitioner had a claim to United States citizenship, Mr. Souvannarath was unlawfully removed from this Court's jurisdiction and the United States of America. Mr. Souvannarath accordingly respectfully requests his repatriation so that he can return to his family and continue to raise his three children.

Reposted by Anna O. Law, Lisa W. Fazio, James Q. Wilson , and 3 more

kwcollins.bsky.social
Kevin Collins @kwcollins.bsky.social · 13d
This morning federal agents arrested two hard working immigrants on my street because they didn’t have their papers on them, and tried to arrest my neighbor because his green card was in his house rather than on his person.

We are now a “show me your papers” state, and it is outrageous. Get angry.

jameslwilson.bsky.social
James Lindley Wilson @jameslwilson.bsky.social · 13d
This was early American democracy.
The "clasping hands" meme, with the arm on the left labeled "Those who'd become Anti-federalists" and the arm on the right labeled "Those who'd become Federalists," with the clasped hands labeled "Mobbing soldiers and officials who harassed regular people."