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
Trump admin condemns "socialism" in NYC, even as it purchases huge stakes in tech companies, and says any private university with “an endowment exceeding $2 million per undergraduate student” must provide free tuition to students "pursuing hard science programs.” A bit like nationalization...?
November 17, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Trump admin condemns "socialism" in NYC, even as it purchases huge stakes in tech companies, and says any private university with “an endowment exceeding $2 million per undergraduate student” must provide free tuition to students "pursuing hard science programs.” A bit like nationalization...?
Reposted by Prof. Carl LeVan
"Based on more than fifty recent peer-reviewed statistical analyses using large, global datasets…democracies are significantly better than authoritarian regimes at preventing early death."
What Democracy Does . . . And Does Not Do | Journal of Democracy
People are losing faith in democracy’s ability to deliver social progress. But are democracies better than autocracies at promoting economic growth, alleviating poverty, and creating healthier…
www.journalofdemocracy.org
November 14, 2025 at 9:16 PM
"Based on more than fifty recent peer-reviewed statistical analyses using large, global datasets…democracies are significantly better than authoritarian regimes at preventing early death."
Since January, USG cut at least $14 billion in aid, impacting governance work by 1,600 organizations worldwide. Join us at @americanuniversity.bsky.social on Wednesday Nov 19 to discuss a report by Intl IDEA+IFES exploring impacts on global #democracy & security www.eventbrite.com/e/when-aid-f...
When Aid Fades: Assessing Impacts on Global Democracy and Security
SIS Founders Room
www.eventbrite.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Since January, USG cut at least $14 billion in aid, impacting governance work by 1,600 organizations worldwide. Join us at @americanuniversity.bsky.social on Wednesday Nov 19 to discuss a report by Intl IDEA+IFES exploring impacts on global #democracy & security www.eventbrite.com/e/when-aid-f...
So I do not miss the Marion Barry years. And I am definitely not looking at data suggesting the deployment of troops was a good idea.
From today's Washington Post.
From today's Washington Post.
November 12, 2025 at 3:06 AM
So I do not miss the Marion Barry years. And I am definitely not looking at data suggesting the deployment of troops was a good idea.
From today's Washington Post.
From today's Washington Post.
Reposted by Prof. Carl LeVan
There — I fixed the analysis so it is actually accurate to what happened when 8 Senate Dems caved instead of keeping up the righteous fight to deliver lower health care costs for Americans.
November 11, 2025 at 2:09 AM
There — I fixed the analysis so it is actually accurate to what happened when 8 Senate Dems caved instead of keeping up the righteous fight to deliver lower health care costs for Americans.
Reposted by Prof. Carl LeVan
we are going to win
NEW: Dems easily flipped the sheriff's office in Pennsylvania's Bucks County, a big swing county in the Philly suburbs.
So? The incumbent GOP sheriff had contracted with ICE. His Dem challenger promised to end the contract.
Now he wants other swing-state Dems to look at his victory as a lesson:
So? The incumbent GOP sheriff had contracted with ICE. His Dem challenger promised to end the contract.
Now he wants other swing-state Dems to look at his victory as a lesson:
Voters Ousted This Pennsylvania Sheriff After He Signed Up to Collaborate With ICE - Bolts
A populous, swing county replaced its GOP sheriff on Tuesday after months of controversy over his joining ICE’s 287(g) program. The Democratic winner promises he’ll end the contract.
boltsmag.org
November 11, 2025 at 2:18 AM
we are going to win
MIT will support selected international students’ applications to participate in the 8-weeks GDL Pathways program for residence at MIT from June-July 2026. Existing research experience from students who are considering applying to PhD programs desirable
globaldiversitylab.mit.edu/summer-resea...
globaldiversitylab.mit.edu/summer-resea...
Summer Research Internship: International Students – Global Diversity Lab
globaldiversitylab.mit.edu
November 10, 2025 at 11:33 AM
MIT will support selected international students’ applications to participate in the 8-weeks GDL Pathways program for residence at MIT from June-July 2026. Existing research experience from students who are considering applying to PhD programs desirable
globaldiversitylab.mit.edu/summer-resea...
globaldiversitylab.mit.edu/summer-resea...
Reposted by Prof. Carl LeVan
Trump designated #Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern alleging widespread religious violence against Christians - Join us this morning for a briefing organized by the brilliant folks at AfriPAC. #humanrights
November 8, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Trump designated #Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern alleging widespread religious violence against Christians - Join us this morning for a briefing organized by the brilliant folks at AfriPAC. #humanrights
Trump designated #Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern alleging widespread religious violence against Christians - Join us this morning for a briefing organized by the brilliant folks at AfriPAC. #humanrights
November 8, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Trump designated #Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern alleging widespread religious violence against Christians - Join us this morning for a briefing organized by the brilliant folks at AfriPAC. #humanrights
Trump threatening to attack #Nigeria, after designating it Country of Particular Concern for allegedly undermining religious freedom. This is an excellent way to alienate one of America's most important allies in Africa. African Union urges ongoing intl cooperation for its complex security threats
November 8, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Trump threatening to attack #Nigeria, after designating it Country of Particular Concern for allegedly undermining religious freedom. This is an excellent way to alienate one of America's most important allies in Africa. African Union urges ongoing intl cooperation for its complex security threats
He could also mention the 42 million people who as of this week are going without food assistance, while the president builds a $300 million ballroom.
Former Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) said he believes the Republican Party is beginning to move away from President Trump, citing pockets of dissent within the party and the recent poor performances of GOP candidates in downballot races.
thehill.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:54 AM
He could also mention the 42 million people who as of this week are going without food assistance, while the president builds a $300 million ballroom.
Reposted by Prof. Carl LeVan
#BREAKING: Senate Republicans nixed an attempt by Democrats to fully fund Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits after those monies dried up over the weekend amid the government shutdown.
thehill.com
November 4, 2025 at 1:11 AM
#BREAKING: Senate Republicans nixed an attempt by Democrats to fully fund Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits after those monies dried up over the weekend amid the government shutdown.
It also is an improvident military strategy that breeds mistrust: the next time the US needs local cooperation, people just won't trust America
RM Meeks: Cutting the refugee cap by 94% while prioritizing white Afrikaners over our Afghan allies—who stood with us through 2 decades of war—& people fleeing life-threatening crises around the world is shameful. At a time of heightened conflict & instability, it's also a moral & strategic failure.
October 31, 2025 at 1:21 AM
It also is an improvident military strategy that breeds mistrust: the next time the US needs local cooperation, people just won't trust America
Bracing for an increase in hunger across America next week, as food assistance for the poor loses is money due to the govt shutdown
www.hamiltonproject.org/event/addres...
www.hamiltonproject.org/event/addres...
Addressing threats to the SNAP program - The Hamilton Project
On October 30, The Hamilton Project at the Brookings Institution will host an event to highlight the importance of SNAP amid the ongoing government shutdown and in the wake of major cuts to the progra...
www.hamiltonproject.org
October 30, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Bracing for an increase in hunger across America next week, as food assistance for the poor loses is money due to the govt shutdown
www.hamiltonproject.org/event/addres...
www.hamiltonproject.org/event/addres...
Reposted by Prof. Carl LeVan
NEW: We just filed a lawsuit alongside 25 states to restore SNAP food assistance during the federal shutdown.
141,000 DC residents rely on SNAP to afford their meals — including 47,000 children and 24,000 seniors.
We will do everything in our power to prevent DC families from going hungry.
141,000 DC residents rely on SNAP to afford their meals — including 47,000 children and 24,000 seniors.
We will do everything in our power to prevent DC families from going hungry.
October 28, 2025 at 4:01 PM
NEW: We just filed a lawsuit alongside 25 states to restore SNAP food assistance during the federal shutdown.
141,000 DC residents rely on SNAP to afford their meals — including 47,000 children and 24,000 seniors.
We will do everything in our power to prevent DC families from going hungry.
141,000 DC residents rely on SNAP to afford their meals — including 47,000 children and 24,000 seniors.
We will do everything in our power to prevent DC families from going hungry.
Looking forward to checking out the new Substack put together by the Electoral Reform Network, "The Guardrail" theguardrail1.substack.com?r=l8mp5&utm_...
The Guardrail | Election Reformers Network | Substack
Democracy doesn’t survive on good intentions—it survives on strong rules. The Guardrail spotlights the major flaws in our system and highlights the reforms that can get American democracy back on trac...
theguardrail1.substack.com
October 27, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Looking forward to checking out the new Substack put together by the Electoral Reform Network, "The Guardrail" theguardrail1.substack.com?r=l8mp5&utm_...
Reposted by Prof. Carl LeVan
Shared at CPAC this year
October 26, 2025 at 2:05 AM
Shared at CPAC this year
Are the DC police collaborating in human rights violations? People who live in wards 1 and 4 witness them every day: violent arrests, deportations without due process, and more. So there's. Hearing this week:
brianneknadeau.com/human-rights...
brianneknadeau.com/human-rights...
Committee to hear testimony on possible rights violations resulting from coordination with feds - Brianne K. Nadeau
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau, D-Ward 1, announced that her Committee on Public Works & Operations will hold a public roundtable October 29 to hear from residents and organizations about incidents they’ve witnessed since January that involve D.C. government coordination with federal entities or joint enforcement activity that may violate D.C. human rights laws. “Residents […]
brianneknadeau.com
October 25, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Are the DC police collaborating in human rights violations? People who live in wards 1 and 4 witness them every day: violent arrests, deportations without due process, and more. So there's. Hearing this week:
brianneknadeau.com/human-rights...
brianneknadeau.com/human-rights...
How are Trump's #tariff taxes doing? @foreignaffairs.com has some answers: 45% of imports are materials used in US production. Jobs in manufacturing have fallen by 78,000 this year. And the rest of the world is negotiating trade agreements that exclude the US www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
The New Supply Chain Insecurity
Fortress America is not a safer America.
www.foreignaffairs.com
October 24, 2025 at 9:27 PM
How are Trump's #tariff taxes doing? @foreignaffairs.com has some answers: 45% of imports are materials used in US production. Jobs in manufacturing have fallen by 78,000 this year. And the rest of the world is negotiating trade agreements that exclude the US www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
Just think: we live in a country where school buses are used to separate parents from their children without due process. Earlier today a 12 year old here in DC was handcuffed as his parent was taken away. Remember when the GOP talked about "family values"? This was 13th Street Northwest just now
October 24, 2025 at 1:34 AM
Just think: we live in a country where school buses are used to separate parents from their children without due process. Earlier today a 12 year old here in DC was handcuffed as his parent was taken away. Remember when the GOP talked about "family values"? This was 13th Street Northwest just now
Reposted by Prof. Carl LeVan
All politics is local.
Vote out your state reps who peddle in this dangerous anti-science nonsense.
Vote out your state reps who peddle in this dangerous anti-science nonsense.
Anti-science bills hit statehouses, attacking longstanding public health protections
More than 420 anti-science bills attacking longstanding public health protections – vaccines, milk safety and fluoride – have been introduced in statehouses across the U.S. this year.
www.pbs.org
October 23, 2025 at 2:08 AM
All politics is local.
Vote out your state reps who peddle in this dangerous anti-science nonsense.
Vote out your state reps who peddle in this dangerous anti-science nonsense.
Just in case you don't read all the way to the end: one of the new credentialed "journalists" was paid by Russia to promote political polarization in the United States. Welcome to the new DOD press corps.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/22/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/22/b...
Pentagon Announces ‘Next Generation’ Press Corps
www.nytimes.com
October 23, 2025 at 2:26 AM
Just in case you don't read all the way to the end: one of the new credentialed "journalists" was paid by Russia to promote political polarization in the United States. Welcome to the new DOD press corps.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/22/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/22/b...
Reposted by Prof. Carl LeVan
They send soldiers. We send solidarity.
October 22, 2025 at 1:00 AM
They send soldiers. We send solidarity.
Truly the champion of the working class.
Dramatic photos show construction equipment tearing into the East Wing façade and windows, though the federal agency that oversees such projects has not approved President Trump's 90,000-square-foot, $250 million ballroom. n.pr/48AUON2
The White House starts demolishing part of the East Wing to build Trump's ballroom
Dramatic photos show construction equipment tearing into the East Wing façade and windows, though the federal agency that oversees such projects has not approved President Trump's 90,000-square-foot, $250 million ballroom.
n.pr
October 21, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Truly the champion of the working class.
Reposted by Prof. Carl LeVan
Now that #NoKings 2.0 is behind us, here's a quick 🧵 into the data we collected in DC on Saturday to start thinking about what the day-of-action can tell us about this wave of Resistance to Trump2.0 and its policies. The day turned out millions across the US in over 2700 locations across the US:
October 20, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Now that #NoKings 2.0 is behind us, here's a quick 🧵 into the data we collected in DC on Saturday to start thinking about what the day-of-action can tell us about this wave of Resistance to Trump2.0 and its policies. The day turned out millions across the US in over 2700 locations across the US: