Holly Brewer
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earlymodjustice.bsky.social
Holly Brewer
@earlymodjustice.bsky.social
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The issue at stake in 1686 was whether the king was bound by the law.
How are we back here again?
In The New Republic, historian Holly Brewer compares the Court's decision to Godden v. Hales, a 1686 case affirming that James II was above the law – which was only repudiated when James II was overthrown in the Glorious Revolution. newrepublic.com/article/1833...
Reposted by Holly Brewer
February 6, 2026 at 10:39 PM
This ⬇️
Trump is recreating Japanese internment camps from WWII.
There is no excuse—
I spent my childhood inside of American concentration camps. I know one when I see one. And that is what ICE is building.
February 18, 2026 at 2:25 AM
Reposted by Holly Brewer
It’s becoming undeniable that America’s Dear Leader is indeed a threat to liberal democracy. And, for that matter, that “fascist” is a reasonable term. Resistance liberalism is asserting that it should be listened to.

And we are ready to lead the antifascist coalition. trib.al/7Hcvdlp
February 18, 2026 at 2:02 AM
Reposted by Holly Brewer
In Munich, I was embarrassed by America’s lack of support for Ukraine. Secretary Rubio did not even mention Putin’s invasion in his speech. I’m a patriotic American, I want to feel proud of my country again. We should stand with democracy against tyranny michaelmcfaul.substack.com/p/an-embarra...
February 18, 2026 at 12:25 AM
Reposted by Holly Brewer
It’s going to sound quaint, but the best way to resist an AI takeover of the humanities is to assign physical books, sit around, read them, and argue about ideas. Academic has become such a competitive arena, that we ourselves are trained to look for the winning angle, instead of the best education.
February 17, 2026 at 4:42 PM
Reposted by Holly Brewer
So the Obama administration oral history project went live today. An extraordinary resource for historians and teachers, and a great credit to the team of folks who compiled them all, including Evan McCormick, @pastpunditry.bsky.social and many others.
Obama Presidency Oral History
The Obama Presidency as told by 450+ officials, activists, organizers, and extraordinary people from all walks of life.
share.google
February 17, 2026 at 11:50 PM
Reposted by Holly Brewer
2. I interviewed CNN's Abby Phillip last month for @thepressbox.bsky.social to talk about her book on Rev. Jackson's life and political ascendance. Strongly encourage y'all to read "A Dream Deferred" if you're interested and already haven't. www.theringer.com/podcasts/the...
The FBI Seizes Reporter’s Laptop and National Championship Story Lines. Plus, CNN’s Abby Phillip! - The Ringer
Bryan and Joel discuss the FBI raid of Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson. Bryan and Joel also dive into some football notes on Carson Beck, Michael Irvin’s new podcast, and Tony Romo’s poor per...
www.theringer.com
February 17, 2026 at 2:53 PM
Reposted by Holly Brewer
really sad about the death of rev. jesse jackson this morning and i'm gonna be writing something about it for @theringer. but in the meantime, a couple of recommendations.

1. @jamellebouie.net's piece from 2016 about Jackson's groundbreaking presidential campaigns. www.slate.com/articles/new...
Demoralized Democrats Have a Road Map for Success in Trump’s America. It Was Written by Jesse Jackson.
Jesse Jackson first ran for president during the national farm bust of the early 1980s. Debt for farmers had exploded from $85 billion in 1976 to $216 ...
www.slate.com
February 17, 2026 at 2:50 PM
Reposted by Holly Brewer
Smuggler Lawrence Kelly operated on the Salish Sea and brought opium, wine, and Chinese immigrants into the US, but as Paul Lindholdt explores in an interesting new Commonplace piece, it is not so easy to separate the truth from the legend in his story. 🗃️

commonplace.online/article/smug...
Smuggler Lawrence Kelly on the Salish Sea - Commonplace
Separating fact from folklore in Kelly’s life is no easy task. Secondhand reminiscences and nautical gossip layer much of the available information.
commonplace.online
February 18, 2026 at 12:38 AM
Reposted by Holly Brewer
I just posted my article, “Presidentialism at the Highest Ebb: Executive Power in the Age of Trump,” on @ssrn.bsky.social. The paper is forthcoming in the Dayton Law Review.

papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
February 17, 2026 at 11:30 PM
Reposted by Holly Brewer
Ever report a story about shocking claims of abuse normalized and mishandled, fostered by a theology survivors call toxic... and then a few years later, the voice behind that faith guest preaches at the Pentagon?

Yep, it's that kind of day.
substack.com/app-link/pos...
Doug Wilson Preaches at Pentagon, Compares Services to Day of Pentecost
Controversial Christian Nationalist preacher Doug Wilson stood at a podium inside the Pentagon on Tuesday as the guest preacher for the latest monthly Christian worship service held there for leaders ...
substack.com
February 17, 2026 at 11:10 PM
Reposted by Holly Brewer
Millions of files related to Jeffrey Epstein suggest the existence of a 'global criminal enterprise' that carried out acts meeting the legal threshold of crimes against humanity, a panel of independent experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council says reut.rs/4rpxDfl
Allegations in Epstein files may amount to 'crimes against humanity,' UN experts say
Millions of files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein suggest the existence of a "global criminal enterprise" that carried out acts meeting the legal threshold of crimes against humanity,...
reut.rs
February 17, 2026 at 11:03 PM
Reposted by Holly Brewer
How is it possible that Kristi Noem still has this job. Imagine if you’re a family member or a shipmate of this guardsman.

www.nbcnews.com/politics/imm...
February 17, 2026 at 3:17 PM
Reposted by Holly Brewer
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune
February 17, 2026 at 10:56 PM
Reposted by Holly Brewer
@jgienapp.bsky.social responds at great length to critics of his criticism of originalism. It’s a tour de force. read it. papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
February 17, 2026 at 5:58 PM
Reposted by Holly Brewer
Jonathan Alter (@jonathanalter.bsky.social) has learned that Trump will kill Netflix’s bid for Warner Bros and help Paramount win, giving the president control of Fox, CBS, CNN, and TikTok.

washingtonmonthly.com/2026/02/17/t...
After Censoring CBS, Trump Will Go For CNN
I've learned Trump will kill Netflix’s bid for Warner and help Paramount win, giving him control of Fox, CBS, CNN, and TikTok.
washingtonmonthly.com
February 17, 2026 at 10:55 PM
Reposted by Holly Brewer
“‘stark, depressing, almost threatening. Horror movie vibes,’ a defense contractor who received an invite to today’s service [said] anonymously …’You don’t actually need evidence of retribution to find fault with the leader of a government agency inviting his employees for a prayer service.’”
February 17, 2026 at 9:50 PM
Reposted by Holly Brewer
It’s as though Talarico is responding to Hegseth:
🧵Why Talarico’s faith works 🧵

It’s not lost on me that Talarico is doing what clergyfolk from King to Heschel have done. His credential to critique the hijacking of God’s name by fanatics derives *directly* from how seriously he takes faith in his own life. That puts him in the prophetic tradition.
February 17, 2026 at 10:22 PM
Reposted by Holly Brewer
Holy smokes: Democrats could go from being locked out of statewide elections since 2006 to flipping the Georgia Public Service Commission, which determines power prices in the state, within the span of 364 days. Talk about a change in fortunes.
February 17, 2026 at 10:22 PM
Reposted by Holly Brewer
“If this guy isn’t impeached and removed, what’s the point to the whole Constitution? You can’t have a fucking criminal running the government for his own benefit screwing the people. And that’s what we have.”
February 17, 2026 at 8:57 PM
Reposted by Holly Brewer
The most striking thing is Colbert saying that CBS executives told him not to even MENTION the ban on his show.

If that's the case, it raises the question whether that demand was the FCC's or CBS's.

I kinda doubt that Carr would ask for that. I don't doubt that CBS would.

bsky.app/profile/jayr...
A further development:

CBS responds to "THE LATE SHOW." It says Colbert was not prohibited from broadcasting his interview with Rep. James Talarico. Rather the show was provided with legal guidance and... well, just read it. Via @brianstelter.bsky.social
February 17, 2026 at 10:11 PM
Reposted by Holly Brewer
a recommendation: if you’re an english or history professor and you’ve not recently read sample ap essays earning top marks, you might want to check out what hundreds of thousands of high school students think counts as excellent college level work
February 17, 2026 at 8:45 PM
Reposted by Holly Brewer
Wow

Since RFK Jr took over, there have been 17,406 job losses at HHS

Breakdown by sub-agency:

FDA: 4,332
NIH: 4,049
CDC: 2,889
CMS: 1,051

The speed and scale at which he has dismantled the US public health and health research systems is truly startling 😢

www.medpagetoday.com/washington-w...
Here's How Many Jobs HHS Has Lost Since RFK Jr. Took Over
See the totals from NIH, FDA, CDC, and CMS, too
www.medpagetoday.com
February 17, 2026 at 9:26 PM
“‘stark, depressing, almost threatening. Horror movie vibes,’ a defense contractor who received an invite to today’s service [said] anonymously …’You don’t actually need evidence of retribution to find fault with the leader of a government agency inviting his employees for a prayer service.’”
February 17, 2026 at 9:50 PM
Reposted by Holly Brewer
Oh wow — per @briankaylor.bsky.social, Pastor Doug Wilson (now technically Hegseth’s pastor, and long a controversial figure) preached at the Pentagon today.
February 17, 2026 at 9:39 PM