Charles Martin-Shields
@charlesmartinshields.com
Senior researcher, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS). Working on forced displacement, digitalization, and conflict.
My book: https://bit.ly/4gjNQ09
Open access: https://bit.ly/3AXzbI2
My book: https://bit.ly/4gjNQ09
Open access: https://bit.ly/3AXzbI2
It’s like Portugal’s leading conservatives have read the massive amount of political science research that shows cooperating with or mimicking the ultra-right empowers the ultra-right and destroys the conservatives.
🚨🚨Striking but welcome development in Portugese politics: To stop the explosive growth of the ultranationalist #Chega party, Portugal’s leading conservatives are doing the previously unthinkable: endorsing the center-left candidate for president. 🧵
www.politico.eu/article/port...
www.politico.eu/article/port...
Portugal’s conservatives back left-wing candidate to avoid a far-right president
Center-right leaders are taking pains to publicly reject the ultranationalist contender ahead of the country’s Feb. 8 vote.
www.politico.eu
February 2, 2026 at 3:05 PM
It’s like Portugal’s leading conservatives have read the massive amount of political science research that shows cooperating with or mimicking the ultra-right empowers the ultra-right and destroys the conservatives.
Reposted by Charles Martin-Shields
The Dominican Republic has fewer than 12 million people, and eliminating birthright citizenship there a decade ago created 150,000 stateless people — that is, citizens of no country who can’t legally reside anywhere.
Imagine if a country of 400 million did it.
Imagine if a country of 400 million did it.
February 2, 2026 at 1:49 PM
The Dominican Republic has fewer than 12 million people, and eliminating birthright citizenship there a decade ago created 150,000 stateless people — that is, citizens of no country who can’t legally reside anywhere.
Imagine if a country of 400 million did it.
Imagine if a country of 400 million did it.
Reposted by Charles Martin-Shields
I will say again, for the people in the back: the art of politics in a democracy is not merely counting votes. It is reframing issues in a way that CHANGES votes. It is making the case for what is impossible today, so it becomes more possible tomorrow.
February 2, 2026 at 5:29 AM
I will say again, for the people in the back: the art of politics in a democracy is not merely counting votes. It is reframing issues in a way that CHANGES votes. It is making the case for what is impossible today, so it becomes more possible tomorrow.
I needed something to do to direct the energy (good and bad) that I'm feeling with everything going on in the world. I still love doing my research, but I needed a different outlet so I set up a website! Sort of a blog-y thing on politics, development, and culture:
www.post-development.com
www.post-development.com
Post Development
Borderlands between culture and politics
www.post-development.com
February 2, 2026 at 12:56 PM
I needed something to do to direct the energy (good and bad) that I'm feeling with everything going on in the world. I still love doing my research, but I needed a different outlet so I set up a website! Sort of a blog-y thing on politics, development, and culture:
www.post-development.com
www.post-development.com
Reposted by Charles Martin-Shields
Taylor Rehmet, a Democrat (& @runforsomething.net candidate!) flipped a state senate district in Texas that Trump had won by 17 points.
Expand your imagination. When great candidates rooted in community step up to lead, anything is possible.
Expand your imagination. When great candidates rooted in community step up to lead, anything is possible.
February 1, 2026 at 12:19 PM
Taylor Rehmet, a Democrat (& @runforsomething.net candidate!) flipped a state senate district in Texas that Trump had won by 17 points.
Expand your imagination. When great candidates rooted in community step up to lead, anything is possible.
Expand your imagination. When great candidates rooted in community step up to lead, anything is possible.
Reposted by Charles Martin-Shields
No political scientists in the Epstein files, multiple economists. These are facts.
January 31, 2026 at 10:48 PM
No political scientists in the Epstein files, multiple economists. These are facts.
Reposted by Charles Martin-Shields
This is why Democrats need to compete EVERYWHERE.
We won’t win every race, but it’s stupid and irresponsible to simply forfeit certain races to incumbents. Always but especially now, we need competitive elections. And at the bare minimum, make them spend money defending seats they had won by 17 pts
We won’t win every race, but it’s stupid and irresponsible to simply forfeit certain races to incumbents. Always but especially now, we need competitive elections. And at the bare minimum, make them spend money defending seats they had won by 17 pts
JUST IN: Democrats flip a red seat in the Texas Senate.
Taylor Rehmet wins against Leigh Wambsganss, a conservative activist who helped lead right-wing efforts to take over TX school boards.
With all early vote, and 95% of precincts, in, Dem up 57/43.
Trump won this seat by 17% in Tarrant County.
Taylor Rehmet wins against Leigh Wambsganss, a conservative activist who helped lead right-wing efforts to take over TX school boards.
With all early vote, and 95% of precincts, in, Dem up 57/43.
Trump won this seat by 17% in Tarrant County.
February 1, 2026 at 12:54 PM
This is why Democrats need to compete EVERYWHERE.
We won’t win every race, but it’s stupid and irresponsible to simply forfeit certain races to incumbents. Always but especially now, we need competitive elections. And at the bare minimum, make them spend money defending seats they had won by 17 pts
We won’t win every race, but it’s stupid and irresponsible to simply forfeit certain races to incumbents. Always but especially now, we need competitive elections. And at the bare minimum, make them spend money defending seats they had won by 17 pts
Reposted by Charles Martin-Shields
I am going to Springfield, Ohio this week to report. If you are involved in community action to support immigrants or prepare for ICE in Springfield, I would like to be in touch with you. Please DM me here or email Hamilton.Nolan@gmail.com. Thank you.
January 31, 2026 at 8:11 PM
I am going to Springfield, Ohio this week to report. If you are involved in community action to support immigrants or prepare for ICE in Springfield, I would like to be in touch with you. Please DM me here or email Hamilton.Nolan@gmail.com. Thank you.
Reposted by Charles Martin-Shields
When the mania ends and I’m stuck at home with all the shit I bought
January 31, 2026 at 4:09 AM
When the mania ends and I’m stuck at home with all the shit I bought
Concentration camps.
BIG news from @bloomberg.com, which confirms that ICE has gone ahead and *purchased* multiple commercial warehouses with the aim of converting them into mass detention camps.
This is likely to be the big detention story of 2026 — literal warehousing of people.
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
This is likely to be the big detention story of 2026 — literal warehousing of people.
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
ICE Begins Buying ‘Mega’ Warehouse Detention Centers Across US
Plans for such centers and jails in nearly two dozen communities have sparked protests over suitability, proximity to homes and schools.
www.bloomberg.com
January 30, 2026 at 5:10 PM
Concentration camps.
Reposted by Charles Martin-Shields
I thought this was fake, but apparently, they've arrested Don Lemon for reporting from Minneapolis.
I'm not a huge Don Lemon fan, but this is totalitarian nonsense meant to threaten anyone who reports on the regime's horrors.
I'm not a huge Don Lemon fan, but this is totalitarian nonsense meant to threaten anyone who reports on the regime's horrors.
Federal Agents Arrest Don Lemon Over Minnesota Church Protest
www.nytimes.com
January 30, 2026 at 1:11 PM
I thought this was fake, but apparently, they've arrested Don Lemon for reporting from Minneapolis.
I'm not a huge Don Lemon fan, but this is totalitarian nonsense meant to threaten anyone who reports on the regime's horrors.
I'm not a huge Don Lemon fan, but this is totalitarian nonsense meant to threaten anyone who reports on the regime's horrors.
Reposted by Charles Martin-Shields
🧵This is terrible & unsurprising & I really need you to know that actual-facts, on-duty, sworn cops sexually assault women and girls all the time.
ACLU: "One study found that, over a 10yr period, a police officer was caught committing sexual abuse or sexualized misconduct at least every five days."
ACLU: "One study found that, over a 10yr period, a police officer was caught committing sexual abuse or sexualized misconduct at least every five days."
Multiple Men Have Impersonated ICE Agents To Kidnap And Assault Women
In a letter shared with HuffPost, the Democratic Women’s Caucus urged DHS to mandate ICE agents to “visibly and clearly identify themselves" when making arrests.
ca.news.yahoo.com
January 29, 2026 at 8:18 PM
🧵This is terrible & unsurprising & I really need you to know that actual-facts, on-duty, sworn cops sexually assault women and girls all the time.
ACLU: "One study found that, over a 10yr period, a police officer was caught committing sexual abuse or sexualized misconduct at least every five days."
ACLU: "One study found that, over a 10yr period, a police officer was caught committing sexual abuse or sexualized misconduct at least every five days."
Reposted by Charles Martin-Shields
I wrote about the long history of Border Patrol racism and violence for the New York Times www.nytimes.com/2026/01/29/o...
Opinion | The Border Patrol Was Always Out of Control
www.nytimes.com
January 29, 2026 at 4:04 PM
I wrote about the long history of Border Patrol racism and violence for the New York Times www.nytimes.com/2026/01/29/o...
I loved reading Dan McQuade’s work. He was a fantastic writer, and it’s so damn sad to lose him.
Rest in peace to one of the great bloggers and the de facto mayor of Philadelphia. It was my honor and pleasure to work with him. defector.com/dan-mcquade-...
Dan McQuade, 1983–2026 | Defector
Dan McQuade, our friend and colleague, died this week at the age of 43. He is survived by his wife and young son. At the end of 2024, Dan was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer. The news of his diag...
defector.com
January 29, 2026 at 8:12 AM
I loved reading Dan McQuade’s work. He was a fantastic writer, and it’s so damn sad to lose him.
Reposted by Charles Martin-Shields
you can’t fucking dox a public official!
Tillis says he opposes ICE being barred from wearing masks: "I've seen people dox me. I've seen people take pictures and identify law enforcement officers and then put their families at risk. So, I think that's a step too far."
January 28, 2026 at 11:05 PM
you can’t fucking dox a public official!
Reposted by Charles Martin-Shields
good time for all of us to revisit this thread
It is hard to grasp but large masses of Americans are both racist/xenophobic AND not racist/xenophobic enough to applaud what Trump is doing. It's goldilocks shit, they want a level of racism/xenophobia calibrated exactly to their personal preferences, and you just can't make that policy. Don't try.
January 27, 2026 at 4:16 PM
good time for all of us to revisit this thread
Reposted by Charles Martin-Shields
I have converted close to 100% of my public talks to making this point -- they want us to think we're alone, but actually MOST AMERICANS IN MOST STATES THINK CLIMATE CHANGE IS HAPPENING AND IT'S BAD
That includes right here in Kentucky!! A majority in EVERY KY COUNTY thinks climate change is real!
That includes right here in Kentucky!! A majority in EVERY KY COUNTY thinks climate change is real!
they got us out here scared to talk to each other about climate change, so we think other people don’t think it’s real
"However, a majority of Americans (61%) underestimate the proportion of the American public that is worried about global warming, and an additional 24% indicate that they “don’t know enough to say,” while only 8% accurately estimate the public’s level of worry."
January 27, 2026 at 3:17 PM
I have converted close to 100% of my public talks to making this point -- they want us to think we're alone, but actually MOST AMERICANS IN MOST STATES THINK CLIMATE CHANGE IS HAPPENING AND IT'S BAD
That includes right here in Kentucky!! A majority in EVERY KY COUNTY thinks climate change is real!
That includes right here in Kentucky!! A majority in EVERY KY COUNTY thinks climate change is real!
Reposted by Charles Martin-Shields
Der nächste Unschuldige wurde von Trump-Truppen getötet. Die AfD und ihr Umfeld rechtfertigen die Tat mit Fakes – und fordern zeitgleich ICE auch in Deutschland.
www.volksverpetzer.de/aktuelles/mi...
www.volksverpetzer.de/aktuelles/mi...
Minneapolis: AfD & Vorfeld bereiten Terror-Polizei propagandistisch vor
Der nächste Unschuldige wurde von Trump-Truppen getötet. Die AfD und ihr Umfeld rechtfertigen die Tat mit Fakes – und fordern zeitgleich ICE auch in Deutschland.
www.volksverpetzer.de
January 27, 2026 at 3:19 PM
Der nächste Unschuldige wurde von Trump-Truppen getötet. Die AfD und ihr Umfeld rechtfertigen die Tat mit Fakes – und fordern zeitgleich ICE auch in Deutschland.
www.volksverpetzer.de/aktuelles/mi...
www.volksverpetzer.de/aktuelles/mi...
Reposted by Charles Martin-Shields
New Reuters/Ipsos poll
U.S. approval on Trump's handling of immigration has slid from +7 to -14 in one year.
www.reuters.com/data/trumps-...
(conducted Jan. 23-25)
U.S. approval on Trump's handling of immigration has slid from +7 to -14 in one year.
www.reuters.com/data/trumps-...
(conducted Jan. 23-25)
January 27, 2026 at 3:18 PM
New Reuters/Ipsos poll
U.S. approval on Trump's handling of immigration has slid from +7 to -14 in one year.
www.reuters.com/data/trumps-...
(conducted Jan. 23-25)
U.S. approval on Trump's handling of immigration has slid from +7 to -14 in one year.
www.reuters.com/data/trumps-...
(conducted Jan. 23-25)
Reposted by Charles Martin-Shields
The story right now is that Bovino is out — but just remember that these people will eat their own to try to keep themselves in Trump’s orbit for just one more day. This is not the change that people demanded, the people demanded real accountability. And the Epstein files.
January 27, 2026 at 2:09 PM
The story right now is that Bovino is out — but just remember that these people will eat their own to try to keep themselves in Trump’s orbit for just one more day. This is not the change that people demanded, the people demanded real accountability. And the Epstein files.
Reposted by Charles Martin-Shields
To delete your TikTok account without agreeing to the new TOS:
1) put your phone in airplane mode
2) open TikTok and go to your profile
3) go to settings and scroll down to delete account
4) turn airplane mode off
5) delete your account
Credit to @ kimsaira on instagram for this
1) put your phone in airplane mode
2) open TikTok and go to your profile
3) go to settings and scroll down to delete account
4) turn airplane mode off
5) delete your account
Credit to @ kimsaira on instagram for this
According to its new privacy policy, TikTok now collects more data on its users, including their precise location, after majority ownership officially switched to a group based in the US. www.wired.com/story/tiktok...
TikTok Is Now Collecting Even More Data About Its Users. Here Are the 3 Biggest Changes
According to its new privacy policy, TikTok now collects more data on its users, including their precise location, after majority ownership officially switched to a group based in the US.
www.wired.com
January 24, 2026 at 5:59 AM
To delete your TikTok account without agreeing to the new TOS:
1) put your phone in airplane mode
2) open TikTok and go to your profile
3) go to settings and scroll down to delete account
4) turn airplane mode off
5) delete your account
Credit to @ kimsaira on instagram for this
1) put your phone in airplane mode
2) open TikTok and go to your profile
3) go to settings and scroll down to delete account
4) turn airplane mode off
5) delete your account
Credit to @ kimsaira on instagram for this
Reposted by Charles Martin-Shields
One of the best things I’ve read in a while:
January 25, 2026 at 10:39 PM
One of the best things I’ve read in a while:
Reposted by Charles Martin-Shields
Ja, amerikanische Verhältnisse in Deutschland zu verhindern, heißt natürlich, die AfD zu verbieten, aber es heißt auch, Dobrindt auf die Finger zu klopfen, wenn er mal wieder Palantir-Software kaufen will und die Gotham-Installationen in Hessen, NRW, Bayern und BaWü von den Rechnern zu schmeißen.
January 25, 2026 at 8:49 AM
Ja, amerikanische Verhältnisse in Deutschland zu verhindern, heißt natürlich, die AfD zu verbieten, aber es heißt auch, Dobrindt auf die Finger zu klopfen, wenn er mal wieder Palantir-Software kaufen will und die Gotham-Installationen in Hessen, NRW, Bayern und BaWü von den Rechnern zu schmeißen.
Reposted by Charles Martin-Shields
Dems should introduce legislation now defunding ICE and CBP operations in Minnesota, so they have to leave the state. One sentence bill. Demand an immediate vote. Maybe refuse to vote for cloture on any funding bills (or other bills) until a vote. Make the GOP Congress break w/ Trump or own it all.
January 25, 2026 at 1:47 PM
Dems should introduce legislation now defunding ICE and CBP operations in Minnesota, so they have to leave the state. One sentence bill. Demand an immediate vote. Maybe refuse to vote for cloture on any funding bills (or other bills) until a vote. Make the GOP Congress break w/ Trump or own it all.
Reposted by Charles Martin-Shields
Let's be clear: every Democratic Senator not saying this today is functionally indistinguishable from a Republican.
Federal agents cannot murder people in broad daylight and face zero consequences.
I will NOT support the DHS bill as it stands.
The DHS bill needs to be split off from the larger funding package before the Senate—Republicans must work with us to do that.
I’ll keep fighting to rein in DHS and ICE.
I will NOT support the DHS bill as it stands.
The DHS bill needs to be split off from the larger funding package before the Senate—Republicans must work with us to do that.
I’ll keep fighting to rein in DHS and ICE.
January 25, 2026 at 5:46 AM
Let's be clear: every Democratic Senator not saying this today is functionally indistinguishable from a Republican.