Prof. Carl LeVan
@democracyprofdc.bsky.social
Professor at American University. Defender of democracy. Lover of decency. Seeker of truth. Author/co-editor of books on Nigeria, constitution-making, and the American national security state. Editorial boards: Governance, Journal of Modern African Studies
Reposted by Prof. Carl LeVan
What impact are the US boat strikes having, besides killing >124 people?
- October-December 2024: 7,764 pounds of cocaine seized at the US-Mexico border.
- October-December 2025: 10,593 pounds of cocaine seized.
Cocaine is up 34% year-over-year *despite* the boat strikes.
Data: bit.ly/4bJOeFs
- October-December 2024: 7,764 pounds of cocaine seized at the US-Mexico border.
- October-December 2025: 10,593 pounds of cocaine seized.
Cocaine is up 34% year-over-year *despite* the boat strikes.
Data: bit.ly/4bJOeFs
January 21, 2026 at 8:24 PM
What impact are the US boat strikes having, besides killing >124 people?
- October-December 2024: 7,764 pounds of cocaine seized at the US-Mexico border.
- October-December 2025: 10,593 pounds of cocaine seized.
Cocaine is up 34% year-over-year *despite* the boat strikes.
Data: bit.ly/4bJOeFs
- October-December 2024: 7,764 pounds of cocaine seized at the US-Mexico border.
- October-December 2025: 10,593 pounds of cocaine seized.
Cocaine is up 34% year-over-year *despite* the boat strikes.
Data: bit.ly/4bJOeFs
Reposted by Prof. Carl LeVan
Nominating Putin mouthpiece Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence is a whole different level of alarming. The Five Eyes alliance will soon become Four Eyes — exactly as Putin wants.
In 2018, Tulsi Gabbard said Trump makes “our country less safe”
November 14, 2024 at 3:12 AM
Nominating Putin mouthpiece Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence is a whole different level of alarming. The Five Eyes alliance will soon become Four Eyes — exactly as Putin wants.
Reposted by Prof. Carl LeVan
NEW: Abigail Spanberger this afternoon ordered that all state agencies leave ICE's 287(g) program.
This means that the state police (and some other agencies) will no longer be empowered to detain and arrest people for ICE.
Big, big move by the governor within weeks of coming into office.
This means that the state police (and some other agencies) will no longer be empowered to detain and arrest people for ICE.
Big, big move by the governor within weeks of coming into office.
Virginia’s New Governor Ends ICE Program. Local Contracts Remain, For Now. - Bolts
Abigail Spanberger left the 287(g) program, which empowered state law enforcement to detain immigrants. Will Democrats also bar local police and sheriffs from the program?
boltsmag.org
February 4, 2026 at 10:36 PM
NEW: Abigail Spanberger this afternoon ordered that all state agencies leave ICE's 287(g) program.
This means that the state police (and some other agencies) will no longer be empowered to detain and arrest people for ICE.
Big, big move by the governor within weeks of coming into office.
This means that the state police (and some other agencies) will no longer be empowered to detain and arrest people for ICE.
Big, big move by the governor within weeks of coming into office.
Went to a meeting downtown today, and I was the only dude not wearing a tie. So many cultural changes in DC with the GOP back in power.
February 5, 2026 at 1:51 AM
Went to a meeting downtown today, and I was the only dude not wearing a tie. So many cultural changes in DC with the GOP back in power.
DEMOCRACY DIES IN DARKNESS
Jeff Bezos, one of the richest people on Earth, just eliminated hundreds of union jobs at the Washington Post.
Solidarity with @postguild.bsky.social. Join them tomorrow, February 5 at 12:00 p.m. for a rally to #SaveThePost.
Solidarity with @postguild.bsky.social. Join them tomorrow, February 5 at 12:00 p.m. for a rally to #SaveThePost.
February 4, 2026 at 9:20 PM
DEMOCRACY DIES IN DARKNESS
Reposted by Prof. Carl LeVan
NEW: At least 23 reported contributors to the White House ballroom should have disclosed those donations as part of their lobbying disclosure filings, according to CREW analysis. Only one did.
White House ballroom donations should be disclosed on lobbying disclosure reports - CREW | Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
At least 23 reported contributors to the White House ballroom should have disclosed those donations as part of their regular lobbying disclosure filings.
www.citizensforethics.org
February 4, 2026 at 7:38 PM
NEW: At least 23 reported contributors to the White House ballroom should have disclosed those donations as part of their lobbying disclosure filings, according to CREW analysis. Only one did.
Reposted by Prof. Carl LeVan
The new DHS funding deadline is next week. That means Democrats have real leverage to stop the regime’s lawlessness. Demand that Dems hold the line and refuse to fund DHS without ironclad limits on ICE and CBP, actual accountability for abuses, and clear guardrails to stop raids and intimidation.
Tell Your Members of Congress to rein in ICE NOW
On January 24, federal forces with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) killed Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. This was just over two weeks after the killing of Renee Good. These killings are a direc...
act.indivisible.org
February 4, 2026 at 1:50 PM
The new DHS funding deadline is next week. That means Democrats have real leverage to stop the regime’s lawlessness. Demand that Dems hold the line and refuse to fund DHS without ironclad limits on ICE and CBP, actual accountability for abuses, and clear guardrails to stop raids and intimidation.
Street signs are a little different here in DC
February 4, 2026 at 2:13 PM
Street signs are a little different here in DC
I have been following this index for 25 years. By focusing on perceptions, I hope this one will not under report our grim neopatrimonial reality here in the US: a president selling political access via crypto currency, accepting a $400m gift from a foreign govt, firing inspectors general, etc.
🔵 COMING SOON: The Corruption Perceptions Index 2025 will be published on 10 February. How will your country measure up? #CPI2025
February 4, 2026 at 12:01 PM
I have been following this index for 25 years. By focusing on perceptions, I hope this one will not under report our grim neopatrimonial reality here in the US: a president selling political access via crypto currency, accepting a $400m gift from a foreign govt, firing inspectors general, etc.
Interested in protecting universities, students, faculty, staff and basic principles of democracy on American college campuses? Apply for this @aaup.org fellowship at the Center for the Defense of Academic Freedom www.aaup.org/about/progra...
Center for the Defense of Academic Freedom
The center will bring together higher education and academic freedom experts over two years (2024-25) to develop a comprehensive understanding of the scope and nature of political interference in high...
urldefense.com
February 4, 2026 at 11:53 AM
Interested in protecting universities, students, faculty, staff and basic principles of democracy on American college campuses? Apply for this @aaup.org fellowship at the Center for the Defense of Academic Freedom www.aaup.org/about/progra...
A real indictment of economists. Right? (I'm imagining results among anthropologists or clinical psychologists)
Are female economists treated differently than males in academic seminars?
These authors wanted to know whether gender shapes how scholars are treated when presenting research.
So they built a massive dataset of 2,000+ economics seminars, job talks, and conference presentations from 2019–2023...
These authors wanted to know whether gender shapes how scholars are treated when presenting research.
So they built a massive dataset of 2,000+ economics seminars, job talks, and conference presentations from 2019–2023...
February 4, 2026 at 3:47 AM
A real indictment of economists. Right? (I'm imagining results among anthropologists or clinical psychologists)
Reposted by Prof. Carl LeVan
In response to the FBI’s raid of a WP reporter’s home, the U.S. Journalist Assistance Network (JAN) is hosting a free roundtable on data and device protection for reporters in the U.S. on 2/10/2026 at 12:00 pm ET. Register here: cpj-org.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Journalist safety in the US: Protecting data and devices. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
The raid of a Washington Post reporter’s home and the seizure of the reporter’s devices and newsgathering materials is an alarming escalation against the press and emphasizes the need for journalists ...
cpj-org.zoom.us
February 3, 2026 at 5:00 PM
In response to the FBI’s raid of a WP reporter’s home, the U.S. Journalist Assistance Network (JAN) is hosting a free roundtable on data and device protection for reporters in the U.S. on 2/10/2026 at 12:00 pm ET. Register here: cpj-org.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Now that the chair of the relevant committee of jurisdiction has recognized the gross misconduct of Secretary Noem, who endorsed the violence rather than characterizing it as an accident or worthy of urgent investigation, he has an obligation to take the next step and hold her accountable
Senate Homeland Security Committee Chair Rand Paul (R-Ky.) says he “saw no evidence” to back claims of senior Trump administration officials that Alex Pretti attempted to assault law enforcement officers and instead “saw a man that was retreating” when he was shot and killed by federal officers.
thehill.com
February 2, 2026 at 9:54 PM
Now that the chair of the relevant committee of jurisdiction has recognized the gross misconduct of Secretary Noem, who endorsed the violence rather than characterizing it as an accident or worthy of urgent investigation, he has an obligation to take the next step and hold her accountable
Reposted by Prof. Carl LeVan
GOOD NEWS: California and Oregon federal district courts dismissed the DOJ’s lawsuit against those states for their refusal to turn over state voter data—calling the Trump administration’s efforts “unprecedented and illegal.” 🧵
February 2, 2026 at 9:37 PM
GOOD NEWS: California and Oregon federal district courts dismissed the DOJ’s lawsuit against those states for their refusal to turn over state voter data—calling the Trump administration’s efforts “unprecedented and illegal.” 🧵
This is amazing reporting by the @washingtonpost.com - Kenyans and other Africans deceived by Russia to fight in Ukraine wapo.st/4qnDnoA
Kenyan job seekers were lured to Russia, then sent to die in Ukraine
The Post spoke to four Kenyans who fought in Ukraine and relatives of nine other recruits, as a secret pipeline funnels young Africans to Russia’s military.
wapo.st
February 2, 2026 at 8:56 PM
This is amazing reporting by the @washingtonpost.com - Kenyans and other Africans deceived by Russia to fight in Ukraine wapo.st/4qnDnoA
Right. Barely six years after a $250 remodeling, and after everyone from Philip Glass and Rene Felmming to the National Symphony Orchestra has fled.
Donald Trump said Sunday he will move to close Washington’s Kennedy Center performing arts venue for two years starting in July after a wave of cancellations followed Trump’s ouster of the previous leadership when Trump added his name to the building. apnews.com/article/trum...
Kennedy Center to close for 2 years for renovations in July, Trump says, after performers' backlash
President Donald Trump says he will move to close Washington’s Kennedy Center performing arts venue for two years starting in July for construction.
apnews.com
February 2, 2026 at 1:20 AM
Right. Barely six years after a $250 remodeling, and after everyone from Philip Glass and Rene Felmming to the National Symphony Orchestra has fled.
Even the temperature around here in DC suggests a strong sense of solidarity with Minneapolis.
February 1, 2026 at 2:59 AM
Even the temperature around here in DC suggests a strong sense of solidarity with Minneapolis.
Man....if Batman thinks your tactics are heavy handed then you are REALLY out of line, ICE
This is incredible???
An unidentified man dressed in a Batman costume angrily confronted Santa Clara city officials during a joint meeting of the City Council, city authorities, and the Santa Clara Stadium Authority on Monday, using his public comment to condemn the city’s stance on cooperation with ICE.
February 1, 2026 at 1:17 AM
Man....if Batman thinks your tactics are heavy handed then you are REALLY out of line, ICE
Let me just say that I read the book after I discovered Kate Bush, but many years before Stranger Things ever appeared. I found it a little challenging but haunting....in a good way
Join us
Defector Reads A Book is tackling 'Wuthering Heights' defector.com/defector-rea...
January 31, 2026 at 3:20 AM
Let me just say that I read the book after I discovered Kate Bush, but many years before Stranger Things ever appeared. I found it a little challenging but haunting....in a good way
There is little evidence so far of external pressure to democratize. American made plain the attack on #Venezuela was not motivated by democracy or #humanrights. Survival will be relatively easy with Rodriguez willing to play along. But she struck a dangerous bargain by depending on a foreign patron
"The regime is betting that every additional month without a decisive democratic breakthrough will allow it to reorganize, regain leverage, and test the limits of external pressure."
How Maduro’s Dictatorship Plans to Survive | Journal of Democracy
Delcy Rodríguez and her cronies aren’t going to surrender easily. They plan to adapt and undermine any attempt to restore Venezuela’s democracy. This is their strategy.
www.journalofdemocracy.org
January 30, 2026 at 4:23 PM
There is little evidence so far of external pressure to democratize. American made plain the attack on #Venezuela was not motivated by democracy or #humanrights. Survival will be relatively easy with Rodriguez willing to play along. But she struck a dangerous bargain by depending on a foreign patron
Reposted by Prof. Carl LeVan
The arrests of Lemon and Fort are intended to deter journalists from doing work we need them to do, and that the First Amendment was meant to protect. DOJ should drop these prosecutions or the courts should throw them out. knightcolumbia.org/content/knig...
Knight Institute Condemns Arrest of Journalists Reporting on Minneapolis Protests
knightcolumbia.org
January 30, 2026 at 3:57 PM
The arrests of Lemon and Fort are intended to deter journalists from doing work we need them to do, and that the First Amendment was meant to protect. DOJ should drop these prosecutions or the courts should throw them out. knightcolumbia.org/content/knig...
When I lecture on state building, I always joke you are not a country unless you have 3 things: a flag, a currency, and a soccer team.
This could further delegitimize the Trump admin: "Clamor is growing in Europe to boycott Trump’s World Cup"
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/0...
This could further delegitimize the Trump admin: "Clamor is growing in Europe to boycott Trump’s World Cup"
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/0...
Column | Clamor is growing in Europe to boycott Trump’s World Cup
This summer’s North American World Cup is inextricably tied to President Donald Trump. Some of his critics are questioning the fitness of the U.S. as a host.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 29, 2026 at 2:20 AM
When I lecture on state building, I always joke you are not a country unless you have 3 things: a flag, a currency, and a soccer team.
This could further delegitimize the Trump admin: "Clamor is growing in Europe to boycott Trump’s World Cup"
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/0...
This could further delegitimize the Trump admin: "Clamor is growing in Europe to boycott Trump’s World Cup"
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/0...
@sciam.bsky.social just gave us a very helpful illustrated reminder
www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-...
www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-...
January 28, 2026 at 7:37 PM
@sciam.bsky.social just gave us a very helpful illustrated reminder
www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-...
www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-...
#Mistrust in politicians can be good for democracy by stimulating accountability and competitive elections. Mistrust in science, and fealty to #post-truth ideologies, disconnects evidence from policy, and the people from the common good. Come to DC on March 7 to @standupforscience.bsky.social
January 28, 2026 at 7:35 PM
#Mistrust in politicians can be good for democracy by stimulating accountability and competitive elections. Mistrust in science, and fealty to #post-truth ideologies, disconnects evidence from policy, and the people from the common good. Come to DC on March 7 to @standupforscience.bsky.social
So these are treacherous waters. But Minnesotans should use this opportunity to generate momentum for an investigation that follows the facts and ends with accountability under the law.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/24/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/24/u...
Gun Activists Bridle at Suggestion That Pistol Justified Killing
www.nytimes.com
January 26, 2026 at 12:34 AM
So these are treacherous waters. But Minnesotans should use this opportunity to generate momentum for an investigation that follows the facts and ends with accountability under the law.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/24/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/24/u...