Chris Edelson
@chrisedelson.bsky.social
Assistant professor of government at American University. Area of focus: US presidential power and authoritarian threats to democracy. Writing a book on emergency presidential power in context of Trump. https://www.american.edu/spa/faculty/edelson.cfm
Pinned
Chris Edelson
@chrisedelson.bsky.social
· Feb 28
trump's breathtaking, revolutionary unilateral action could not be justified even in an emergency (and none existed when trump took office). He is claiming unilateral power that goes beyond what Lincoln claimed at start of civil war--& Lincoln crucially gained retroactive approval from Congress 1/2
Balko observes: "We’ve seen rapid normalization of abuses we once associated with authoritarian regimes or the old Iron Curtain countries. It’s now routine for masked, unidentifiable government agents to sweep people off the street and whisk them away in unmarked vehicles."
So I have the cover story in next month's TNR.
I interviewed the heads of police groups; immigration defense attorneys, ex-judges and ex-prosecutors; former DOJ and DHS officials, and the former head of Border Patrol.
They're all horrified at what we've seen, and they all fear what's coming.
I interviewed the heads of police groups; immigration defense attorneys, ex-judges and ex-prosecutors; former DOJ and DHS officials, and the former head of Border Patrol.
They're all horrified at what we've seen, and they all fear what's coming.
Trump’s Immigration Nightmare: It Is Happening Here
With astonishing speed, the administration has toppled the most cherished pillars of a free society. And the experts agree: It’s all going to get much, much worse.
newrepublic.com
December 24, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Balko observes: "We’ve seen rapid normalization of abuses we once associated with authoritarian regimes or the old Iron Curtain countries. It’s now routine for masked, unidentifiable government agents to sweep people off the street and whisk them away in unmarked vehicles."
Reposted by Chris Edelson
"Defend your culture"
Dystopian shit going on in the USA jobs listings.
Dystopian shit going on in the USA jobs listings.
December 24, 2025 at 1:40 AM
"Defend your culture"
Dystopian shit going on in the USA jobs listings.
Dystopian shit going on in the USA jobs listings.
The trump admin is tougher on states with Democratic elected officials than it is with Russia. trump and his minions see people like Gov. Pritzker (IL) and Gov. Healy (MA) as enemies while they see the dictator Putin as a friend. Grotesque stuff that reminds us why trump is simply unfit to serve.
Sean Duffy on blue states: "What I can do is I can pull their money. That's the leverage I do have ... I guarantee you that the federal taxpayer is not going to fund their roads and bridges and their systems when they are putting illegals on the roads."
December 23, 2025 at 3:01 PM
The trump admin is tougher on states with Democratic elected officials than it is with Russia. trump and his minions see people like Gov. Pritzker (IL) and Gov. Healy (MA) as enemies while they see the dictator Putin as a friend. Grotesque stuff that reminds us why trump is simply unfit to serve.
Reposted by Chris Edelson
Nenko Gantchev should still be alive—home with his family. After 30 years contributing to Chicagoland as a small business owner and taxpayer, ICE detained him, ignored his medical needs, and he died in custody. This system is cruel, reckless, and must be held accountable.
Bulgarian Chicago business owner dies in ICE custody, sparking calls for 'immediate investigation'
https://abc7chicago.com/post/bulgarian-chicago-business-owner-nenko-gantchev-dies-ice-custody-family-congresswoman-call-immediate-investigation/18301520/
https://abc7chicago.com/post/bulgarian-chicago-business-owner-nenko-gantchev-dies-ice-custody-family-congresswoman-call-immediate-investigation/18301520/
Bulgarian Chicago business owner dies in ICE custody, sparking calls for 'immediate investigation'
A Bulgarian man from Chicago arrested during an immigration enforcement 'blitz' has died while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at a Michigan private prison, the ABC7 I-Team has learned.
abc7chicago.com
December 20, 2025 at 2:42 AM
Nenko Gantchev should still be alive—home with his family. After 30 years contributing to Chicagoland as a small business owner and taxpayer, ICE detained him, ignored his medical needs, and he died in custody. This system is cruel, reckless, and must be held accountable.
Reposted by Chris Edelson
We have named ships after still-living individuals but I'm not sure if still-serving for elected officials, quite rare at least. A sitting President naming a new ship class for himself? Pretty sure that is what NYT might call "unconventional". www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
New Class of Warship to Be Named After President Trump
The new vessels, which the president calls battleships, will be the latest in what the White House envisions as a “Golden Fleet.”
www.wsj.com
December 22, 2025 at 9:18 PM
We have named ships after still-living individuals but I'm not sure if still-serving for elected officials, quite rare at least. A sitting President naming a new ship class for himself? Pretty sure that is what NYT might call "unconventional". www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
Reposted by Chris Edelson
So disturbing. Almost reminds me of living in China where real news had to be accessed by VPN.
December 22, 2025 at 10:20 PM
So disturbing. Almost reminds me of living in China where real news had to be accessed by VPN.
Reposted by Chris Edelson
This Trump announcement of a new ship program is...omg
He's gone. He's just gone bye-bye.
He's gone. He's just gone bye-bye.
December 22, 2025 at 10:21 PM
This Trump announcement of a new ship program is...omg
He's gone. He's just gone bye-bye.
He's gone. He's just gone bye-bye.
Reposted by Chris Edelson
Guards began beating him. Beat him until he bled. Knocked his face into the wall, broke all his teeth. No access to outdoors, no contact with relatives.
Now describing US knowledge of CECOT's torture practices, followed by footage of Trump praising those practices.
Now describing US knowledge of CECOT's torture practices, followed by footage of Trump praising those practices.
December 22, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Guards began beating him. Beat him until he bled. Knocked his face into the wall, broke all his teeth. No access to outdoors, no contact with relatives.
Now describing US knowledge of CECOT's torture practices, followed by footage of Trump praising those practices.
Now describing US knowledge of CECOT's torture practices, followed by footage of Trump praising those practices.
Reposted by Chris Edelson
The world should be alarmed. A lunatic is president of the United States and no one is challenging his impulses to make himself an emperor.
Greenland alarmed after Trump appoints special envoy to make country ‘part of the US’
Greenland alarmed after Trump appoints special envoy to make country ‘part of the US’
Greenland alarmed after Trump appoints special envoy to make country ‘part of the US’
www.independent.co.uk
December 22, 2025 at 12:10 PM
The world should be alarmed. A lunatic is president of the United States and no one is challenging his impulses to make himself an emperor.
why does the US govt put out a message describing the Russian approach to Ukraine that sounds like it could have been written by the Russian govt?
This statement is a sick joke. US foreign policy is a sick joke, being implemented by enemies of truth, freedom & democracy - people driven by personal greed & the opportunity to exploit the suffering of others by trading US power and prestige for death & business opportunities.
December 22, 2025 at 2:11 PM
why does the US govt put out a message describing the Russian approach to Ukraine that sounds like it could have been written by the Russian govt?
Reposted by Chris Edelson
I‘m getting tired of repeating the point that Trump wants to divide and rule. He poses a collective action problem for Europeans and as long as we leave targeted nations to fend for themselves, he will succeed in dominating us.
Denmark to summon US ambassador over Trump Greenland envoy appointment
Danish foreign minister ‘deeply angered’ by move to send special envoy to territory Trump has threatened to annex
www.theguardian.com
December 22, 2025 at 11:34 AM
I‘m getting tired of repeating the point that Trump wants to divide and rule. He poses a collective action problem for Europeans and as long as we leave targeted nations to fend for themselves, he will succeed in dominating us.
Reposted by Chris Edelson
Once or twice somewhere I may have equated the "execrable race of Stuarts" (John Adams' phrase) with the even more execrable race of Trumps.
December 21, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Once or twice somewhere I may have equated the "execrable race of Stuarts" (John Adams' phrase) with the even more execrable race of Trumps.
indeed--the US is in the *aftermath* of constitutional failure--well past constitutional crisis
The fact that Trump wasn’t punished after the attempt to reverse his electoral loss, and the Roberts immunity decision, will cast a very long shadow over US institutions…
December 21, 2025 at 5:47 PM
indeed--the US is in the *aftermath* of constitutional failure--well past constitutional crisis
Reposted by Chris Edelson
This. We’ve left the sane world behind. Are we going to rebuild structures and processes to reimpose discipline on the discussion of intelligence? Or on [fill in your favorite policy area]?
An underappreciated dimension of our media and politics environment is that every policy principal is now terminally online, arguing basic policy matters in public
In no sane world, prior to 2016, would anyone want the DNI (or any admin official) to set or defend U.S. policy or objectives this way
In no sane world, prior to 2016, would anyone want the DNI (or any admin official) to set or defend U.S. policy or objectives this way
December 21, 2025 at 3:04 PM
This. We’ve left the sane world behind. Are we going to rebuild structures and processes to reimpose discipline on the discussion of intelligence? Or on [fill in your favorite policy area]?
Reposted by Chris Edelson
I should add that what’s remarkable is, not very long ago in America, even the most conservative politician would have been vilified for even associating with anyone who said something as disgusting as this.
December 17, 2025 at 12:01 AM
I should add that what’s remarkable is, not very long ago in America, even the most conservative politician would have been vilified for even associating with anyone who said something as disgusting as this.
@peterbakernyt.bsky.social piece in today's NY Times discusses trump's efforts to make himself an American monarch www.nytimes.com/2025/12/21/u...
this is precisely the theme of my new book www.rienner.com/title/Above_...
this is precisely the theme of my new book www.rienner.com/title/Above_...
Lynne Rienner Publishers | Above the Law The Evolution of Emergency Presidential Power
Lynne Rienner Publishers, celebrating 35 years of independent publishing, is known for its cutting-edge, high quality scholarly and academic books and journals in politics, social sciences, and the hu...
www.rienner.com
December 21, 2025 at 5:31 PM
@peterbakernyt.bsky.social piece in today's NY Times discusses trump's efforts to make himself an American monarch www.nytimes.com/2025/12/21/u...
this is precisely the theme of my new book www.rienner.com/title/Above_...
this is precisely the theme of my new book www.rienner.com/title/Above_...
Reposted by Chris Edelson
“So, I’m not an expert on Hitler by any means, but …”
From a focus group of Gen Z Republicans. (www.city-journal.org/article/manh...)
Tell me again about how Zohran Mamdani is the big threat to Jewish thriving in the US today.
Tell me again about how Zohran Mamdani is the big threat to Jewish thriving in the US today.
December 20, 2025 at 10:16 AM
“So, I’m not an expert on Hitler by any means, but …”
Reposted by Chris Edelson
NEW: A Texas district in which Black students were allegedly taunted with monkey noises.
An Arizona school where students admitted saying “slavery is good.”
These are some of the incidents Trump’s Education Department has ignored:
An Arizona school where students admitted saying “slavery is good.”
These are some of the incidents Trump’s Education Department has ignored:
Monkey Sounds, “White Power” and the N-Word: Racial Harassment Against Black Students Ignored Under Trump
Since Trump returned to office, the Education Department’s civil rights office has not resolved a single racial harassment investigation. It sends a message that “people impacted by racial discriminat...
www.propublica.org
December 19, 2025 at 12:34 PM
NEW: A Texas district in which Black students were allegedly taunted with monkey noises.
An Arizona school where students admitted saying “slavery is good.”
These are some of the incidents Trump’s Education Department has ignored:
An Arizona school where students admitted saying “slavery is good.”
These are some of the incidents Trump’s Education Department has ignored:
Reposted by Chris Edelson
Like renaming the Defense Department the "War Department," the name of the Kennedy Center has not been legally changed, because Congress has not changed it-->
Kennedy Center renamed the 'Trump-Kennedy Center,' White House says www.usatoday.com/story/news/p... via @usatoday.com
Kennedy Center renamed the 'Trump-Kennedy Center,' White House says www.usatoday.com/story/news/p... via @usatoday.com
Kennedy Center renamed the 'Trump-Kennedy Center,' White House says
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington is now called the the "Trump-Kennedy Center," according to the White House.
www.usatoday.com
December 18, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Like renaming the Defense Department the "War Department," the name of the Kennedy Center has not been legally changed, because Congress has not changed it-->
Kennedy Center renamed the 'Trump-Kennedy Center,' White House says www.usatoday.com/story/news/p... via @usatoday.com
Kennedy Center renamed the 'Trump-Kennedy Center,' White House says www.usatoday.com/story/news/p... via @usatoday.com
Reposted by Chris Edelson
Again, I really wish more papers would get accustomed to the form “Trump unlawfully pretends to…” when describing things Trump says he’s doing but has no legal power to do.
Like renaming the Defense Department the "War Department," the name of the Kennedy Center has not been legally changed, because Congress has not changed it-->
Kennedy Center renamed the 'Trump-Kennedy Center,' White House says www.usatoday.com/story/news/p... via @usatoday.com
Kennedy Center renamed the 'Trump-Kennedy Center,' White House says www.usatoday.com/story/news/p... via @usatoday.com
Kennedy Center renamed the 'Trump-Kennedy Center,' White House says
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington is now called the the "Trump-Kennedy Center," according to the White House.
www.usatoday.com
December 18, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Again, I really wish more papers would get accustomed to the form “Trump unlawfully pretends to…” when describing things Trump says he’s doing but has no legal power to do.
Reposted by Chris Edelson
Ladies and gentleman: The President of the United States
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/18/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/18/u...
December 18, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Ladies and gentleman: The President of the United States
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/18/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/18/u...
Reposted by Chris Edelson
That we just keep rolling along with pretending he's not manifestly non compos mentis will be studied by future generations as a kind of mass psychosis.
December 18, 2025 at 3:18 AM
That we just keep rolling along with pretending he's not manifestly non compos mentis will be studied by future generations as a kind of mass psychosis.
Reposted by Chris Edelson
We now face the real possibility of a public company, in which Trump is the largest shareholder, directly receiving government largesse is the form of either loans, grants or contracts.
To say this is wildly unethical and likely illegal is the understatement of the century.
But who will stop it?
To say this is wildly unethical and likely illegal is the understatement of the century.
But who will stop it?
December 18, 2025 at 4:17 PM
We now face the real possibility of a public company, in which Trump is the largest shareholder, directly receiving government largesse is the form of either loans, grants or contracts.
To say this is wildly unethical and likely illegal is the understatement of the century.
But who will stop it?
To say this is wildly unethical and likely illegal is the understatement of the century.
But who will stop it?
Reposted by Chris Edelson
There has been far less coverage of Trump's corruption than I would have liked this year; nevertheless he is paying for it in polls.
2 summary stories today, plus huge development.
New Yorker:
www.newyorker.com/news/the-fin...
2 summary stories today, plus huge development.
New Yorker:
www.newyorker.com/news/the-fin...
The Year in Trump Cashing In
In 2025, the President’s family has been making bank in myriad ways, many of which involve crypto and foreign money.
www.newyorker.com
December 18, 2025 at 3:22 PM
There has been far less coverage of Trump's corruption than I would have liked this year; nevertheless he is paying for it in polls.
2 summary stories today, plus huge development.
New Yorker:
www.newyorker.com/news/the-fin...
2 summary stories today, plus huge development.
New Yorker:
www.newyorker.com/news/the-fin...