Dan Vock
@danvock.bsky.social
Helping you understand how government works—or doesn’t. Freelancing again. Illinoisan in D.C. Reach me at dcvock@gmail.com
Subscribe to my newsletter https://danvock.substack.com/
Subscribe to my newsletter https://danvock.substack.com/
Pinned
Dan Vock
@danvock.bsky.social
· Oct 19
‘Devil’s ideology’: President Donald Trump’s darkening rhetoric escalates attacks and often targets Illinois
President Donald Trump’s language to discredit opponents has included Illinois and the Chicago area where protesters have been compared to domestic terrorists and the president has called for…
www.chicagotribune.com
My story on the front page of @chicagotribune.com today looks at the darkening rhetoric from Trump and the administration, as well as why experts on democracy say that’s a troubling sign (gift link) www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/19/t...
I don’t know any doctor jokes
Make a Bond Movie academic
Octography
Octography
Make a Bond Movie academic
Best, Russia
Best, Russia
December 26, 2025 at 7:59 PM
I don’t know any doctor jokes
Reposted by Dan Vock
US bombed Nigeria in what Trump says was an effort to protect Christians.
Violence in Nigeria is widespread, not anti-Christian specifically, and the US strikes won't accomplish anything lasting. But it appeals to his evangelical base even as he persecutes other Christians.
New from me in @ms.now:
Violence in Nigeria is widespread, not anti-Christian specifically, and the US strikes won't accomplish anything lasting. But it appeals to his evangelical base even as he persecutes other Christians.
New from me in @ms.now:
Opinion | The logic isn't apparent in Trump's strikes in Nigeria
Nicholas Grossman: Add Nigeria to the list of countries Trump has bombed this year
www.ms.now
December 26, 2025 at 7:47 PM
US bombed Nigeria in what Trump says was an effort to protect Christians.
Violence in Nigeria is widespread, not anti-Christian specifically, and the US strikes won't accomplish anything lasting. But it appeals to his evangelical base even as he persecutes other Christians.
New from me in @ms.now:
Violence in Nigeria is widespread, not anti-Christian specifically, and the US strikes won't accomplish anything lasting. But it appeals to his evangelical base even as he persecutes other Christians.
New from me in @ms.now:
Reposted by Dan Vock
It has been a bracing moment for American federalism, with both unprecedented efforts to extend executive control over state and local govts, novel forms of subnational resistance. Where is federalism going? Paul Nolette and I have edited a new issue of Publius on that question. Short thread:
December 26, 2025 at 4:03 PM
It has been a bracing moment for American federalism, with both unprecedented efforts to extend executive control over state and local govts, novel forms of subnational resistance. Where is federalism going? Paul Nolette and I have edited a new issue of Publius on that question. Short thread:
Reposted by Dan Vock
100,000-gallon sewage spill closes L.A. County beach
100,000-gallon sewage spill closes L.A. County beach
Cabrillo Beach was closed after a manhole cover in Carson leaked 100,000 gallons of sewage, according to L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn.
www.latimes.com
December 26, 2025 at 7:48 PM
100,000-gallon sewage spill closes L.A. County beach
But China and its major companies are spending much more money to secure dominance in other domains, such as electric vehicles, batteries, robotics, solar panels, wind turbines & other forms of advanced manufacturing. These sectors may be less glamorous, but their returns are far less speculative.
Great essay. www.ft.com/content/1258... Could America win the AI race but lose the war?
December 26, 2025 at 5:39 PM
But China and its major companies are spending much more money to secure dominance in other domains, such as electric vehicles, batteries, robotics, solar panels, wind turbines & other forms of advanced manufacturing. These sectors may be less glamorous, but their returns are far less speculative.
Reposted by Dan Vock
ICE detain father shopping on Christmas Eve—then steal his family's groceries.
Then 3 agents divvy up his paid for food—taking what they want for themselves.
"Can I just get the wife's number to call and let her know?" woman asks.
"No, guess he should've complied," agent says.
Yakima, Washington
Then 3 agents divvy up his paid for food—taking what they want for themselves.
"Can I just get the wife's number to call and let her know?" woman asks.
"No, guess he should've complied," agent says.
Yakima, Washington
December 25, 2025 at 7:03 PM
ICE detain father shopping on Christmas Eve—then steal his family's groceries.
Then 3 agents divvy up his paid for food—taking what they want for themselves.
"Can I just get the wife's number to call and let her know?" woman asks.
"No, guess he should've complied," agent says.
Yakima, Washington
Then 3 agents divvy up his paid for food—taking what they want for themselves.
"Can I just get the wife's number to call and let her know?" woman asks.
"No, guess he should've complied," agent says.
Yakima, Washington
Reposted by Dan Vock
"Successful modern political figures don’t hide from journalists. They may not like us; they may recognize the reality that legacy media doesn’t have the power it once did. But they retreat into friendly bubbles at their peril." www.semafor.com/article/12/2...
View: The 2025 media lesson: Talk to everyone
Washington figures retreat into friendly media bubbles at their peril.
www.semafor.com
December 26, 2025 at 5:23 PM
"Successful modern political figures don’t hide from journalists. They may not like us; they may recognize the reality that legacy media doesn’t have the power it once did. But they retreat into friendly bubbles at their peril." www.semafor.com/article/12/2...
Reposted by Dan Vock
The U.S.'s major airlines stopped selling flight records (name, flight from, flight to, credit card number) to the government after our months of reporting on the issue www.404media.co/airlines-wil...
Airlines Will Shut Down Program That Sold Your Flights Records to Government
The move comes after intense pressure from lawmakers and 404 Media’s months-long reporting about the airline industry's data selling practices.
www.404media.co
December 23, 2025 at 5:50 PM
The U.S.'s major airlines stopped selling flight records (name, flight from, flight to, credit card number) to the government after our months of reporting on the issue www.404media.co/airlines-wil...
Reposted by Dan Vock
The Wisconsin component of the analysis here is revealing. Evidence is consistent with DOGE strategically delaying contract terminations in WI until after the 2025 state Supreme Court elections to mitigate electoral risk.
December 26, 2025 at 1:25 PM
The Wisconsin component of the analysis here is revealing. Evidence is consistent with DOGE strategically delaying contract terminations in WI until after the 2025 state Supreme Court elections to mitigate electoral risk.
Reposted by Dan Vock
Credit rating upgrades for @chicagocta.bsky.social and @rtachicago.bsky.social a positive result of @govpritzker.illinois.gov recent signing of the transit reform bill. www.bondbuyer.com/news/moodys-...
Moody's upgrades CTA and RTA in wake of Illinois transit bill
Moody's Ratings upgraded the Chicago Transit Authority to Aa3 from A1 Friday, and upgraded the Chicago-area Regional Transportation Authority to Aa2 from Aa3.
www.bondbuyer.com
December 26, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Credit rating upgrades for @chicagocta.bsky.social and @rtachicago.bsky.social a positive result of @govpritzker.illinois.gov recent signing of the transit reform bill. www.bondbuyer.com/news/moodys-...
The Times mentions that “About 62 percent of Americans identify as Christians, a decline of nine percentage points since 2014,” but it doesn’t mention that those Christians disagree vehemently with each other on things like immigration, LGBTQ rights and the role of religion in public life.
We kept telling you that they were pledging to "restore" the "Christian nation"
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/25/a...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/25/a...
Trump Administration Emphasizes Religion in Official Christmas Messages
www.nytimes.com
December 26, 2025 at 4:02 PM
The Times mentions that “About 62 percent of Americans identify as Christians, a decline of nine percentage points since 2014,” but it doesn’t mention that those Christians disagree vehemently with each other on things like immigration, LGBTQ rights and the role of religion in public life.
Reposted by Dan Vock
Two stories side by side in WashPost
December 26, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Two stories side by side in WashPost
Reposted by Dan Vock
The move was a rematriation, a return of missing relatives, according to Jay Young, co-executive director of the American Indian Center of Chicago, which owns the animals in the collaborative conservation effort.
Bison return to Kane County after 200 years, a crucial step for conservation and Indigenous connection
Citizens can help monitor the prairie and bison, and Native Americans can reconnect to their roots under a community science program.
trib.al
December 26, 2025 at 2:33 AM
The move was a rematriation, a return of missing relatives, according to Jay Young, co-executive director of the American Indian Center of Chicago, which owns the animals in the collaborative conservation effort.
Reposted by Dan Vock
When I was on CNN's northeast desk, the first job at 6a every morning was to read the local papers. That guided some of what the massive CNN machine followed every day.
When those papers die, CNN doesn't hire new regional reporters. What you get instead is more panel shows, more punditry.
When those papers die, CNN doesn't hire new regional reporters. What you get instead is more panel shows, more punditry.
"The newspaper industry served as a feeder for our entire news media ecosystem. So when we lose those newspapers, we've lost that journalism. In the early 2000s, we had 40 journalists per 100,000 people. We're now down to 8 journalists per 100,000 people," says @victorpickard.bsky.social.
December 16, 2025 at 7:25 PM
When I was on CNN's northeast desk, the first job at 6a every morning was to read the local papers. That guided some of what the massive CNN machine followed every day.
When those papers die, CNN doesn't hire new regional reporters. What you get instead is more panel shows, more punditry.
When those papers die, CNN doesn't hire new regional reporters. What you get instead is more panel shows, more punditry.
Reposted by Dan Vock
Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino is having fun posting this morning.
December 25, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino is having fun posting this morning.
Reposted by Dan Vock
Look, I'm sure that Nolan's adaptation of "The Odyssey" will be fun, but I highly doubt it will be as good as the original.
December 25, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Look, I'm sure that Nolan's adaptation of "The Odyssey" will be fun, but I highly doubt it will be as good as the original.
Reposted by Dan Vock
Christmas rainbow in DC @capitalweather.bsky.social
December 25, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Christmas rainbow in DC @capitalweather.bsky.social
Reposted by Dan Vock
Reposted by Dan Vock
“Pope Leo said in a Christmas Eve sermon on Wednesday that the story of Jesus being born in a stable because there was no room at an inn should remind Christians that refusing to help the poor & strangers today is tantamount to rejecting God himself.”
Obvious to any REAL Christian. #MerryChristmas
Obvious to any REAL Christian. #MerryChristmas
Pope Leo, on Christmas Eve, says denying help to poor is rejecting God
Leo has made care for immigrants and the poor key themes of his early papacy.
www.reuters.com
December 25, 2025 at 4:00 AM
“Pope Leo said in a Christmas Eve sermon on Wednesday that the story of Jesus being born in a stable because there was no room at an inn should remind Christians that refusing to help the poor & strangers today is tantamount to rejecting God himself.”
Obvious to any REAL Christian. #MerryChristmas
Obvious to any REAL Christian. #MerryChristmas
Reposted by Dan Vock
A majority of Americans DO trust major news outlets (though it is in decline). A majority of Republicans don’t. www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...
December 24, 2025 at 7:57 PM
A majority of Americans DO trust major news outlets (though it is in decline). A majority of Republicans don’t. www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...
Reposted by Dan Vock
And yet, In Covid’s Wake quotes me as saying that “the FBI went beyond strategic information sharing and made direct moderation demands” — literally the opposite of what I argue — to buttress their claim that the government was too busy censoring speech to adequately deal with the pandemic.
December 24, 2025 at 7:00 PM
And yet, In Covid’s Wake quotes me as saying that “the FBI went beyond strategic information sharing and made direct moderation demands” — literally the opposite of what I argue — to buttress their claim that the government was too busy censoring speech to adequately deal with the pandemic.
Reposted by Dan Vock
A small (personal) example of this book’s intellectual dishonesty:
My father-in-law is reading In Covid’s Wake, and excitedly told me he found a passage where I’m quoted. The quote in question is me saying the FBI worked to censor speech on social media.
Huh? When did I say that?!
My father-in-law is reading In Covid’s Wake, and excitedly told me he found a passage where I’m quoted. The quote in question is me saying the FBI worked to censor speech on social media.
Huh? When did I say that?!
December 24, 2025 at 7:00 PM
A small (personal) example of this book’s intellectual dishonesty:
My father-in-law is reading In Covid’s Wake, and excitedly told me he found a passage where I’m quoted. The quote in question is me saying the FBI worked to censor speech on social media.
Huh? When did I say that?!
My father-in-law is reading In Covid’s Wake, and excitedly told me he found a passage where I’m quoted. The quote in question is me saying the FBI worked to censor speech on social media.
Huh? When did I say that?!
Reposted by Dan Vock
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 3:08 PM
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.
Reposted by Dan Vock
Anti-trans demagogue and fifth place swimmer Riley Gaines earned $470,000+ last year from a conservative non-profit.
Notably, $420k was incentive-based.
A neat little window into the way the transphobic grift is being compensated.
I wonder what the per-post rate is?
Notably, $420k was incentive-based.
A neat little window into the way the transphobic grift is being compensated.
I wonder what the per-post rate is?
December 24, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Anti-trans demagogue and fifth place swimmer Riley Gaines earned $470,000+ last year from a conservative non-profit.
Notably, $420k was incentive-based.
A neat little window into the way the transphobic grift is being compensated.
I wonder what the per-post rate is?
Notably, $420k was incentive-based.
A neat little window into the way the transphobic grift is being compensated.
I wonder what the per-post rate is?