John Carlson
@johndcarlson.bsky.social
Scholar, father, husband, veteran. Co-Director https://csrc.asu.edu/recoveringtruth
Reality is not partisan.
Democracy means knowing how to lose.
Keeping our republic means governing as a people -- a "we" who hold certain things in common.
Reality is not partisan.
Democracy means knowing how to lose.
Keeping our republic means governing as a people -- a "we" who hold certain things in common.
Pinned
John Carlson
@johndcarlson.bsky.social
· Jan 24
In Trump, we have abandoned our civil religion — and we are no longer the same
(RNS) — No one should underestimate how serious Trump is about his policies. But nor should we understand him to be morally serious.
religionnews.com
From my new piece @rns.org.
Our former republic — preserved by various facets of civil religion — seems poised to give way to a Second American Republic defined by Trump’s boundless ambition, avarice and conceit.
religionnews.com/2025/01/23/i...
Our former republic — preserved by various facets of civil religion — seems poised to give way to a Second American Republic defined by Trump’s boundless ambition, avarice and conceit.
religionnews.com/2025/01/23/i...
This is going to be a fantastic event! Please join this conversation with our two distinguished panelists to talk democracy and faith--as well as how we can shore up faith in democracy!
📣Join us on Nov. 13 as Ambassador Jeff Flake and Salam Almarayati, Muslim Public Affairs Council president, explore how religious traditions can strengthen civic life.
⏰ 5:30 p.m.
📍in person/Zoom
❗ registration required
🔗 asuevents.asu.edu/our-faith
#ASUHumanities John Carlson
⏰ 5:30 p.m.
📍in person/Zoom
❗ registration required
🔗 asuevents.asu.edu/our-faith
#ASUHumanities John Carlson
October 31, 2025 at 4:04 AM
This is going to be a fantastic event! Please join this conversation with our two distinguished panelists to talk democracy and faith--as well as how we can shore up faith in democracy!
Reposted by John Carlson
Among the reasons Americans risked it all to get rid of a tyrannical king:
“He has obstructed the Admin of Justice…made Judges dependent on his Will…sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people…kept among us Standing Armies w/o legislatures’ Consent” www.americaamerica.news/p/what-we-sh...
“He has obstructed the Admin of Justice…made Judges dependent on his Will…sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people…kept among us Standing Armies w/o legislatures’ Consent” www.americaamerica.news/p/what-we-sh...
What We Should Demand, What We Should Oppose
Reflecting on a president's obligations and what history tells us about rejecting tyranny and injustice
www.americaamerica.news
October 13, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Among the reasons Americans risked it all to get rid of a tyrannical king:
“He has obstructed the Admin of Justice…made Judges dependent on his Will…sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people…kept among us Standing Armies w/o legislatures’ Consent” www.americaamerica.news/p/what-we-sh...
“He has obstructed the Admin of Justice…made Judges dependent on his Will…sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people…kept among us Standing Armies w/o legislatures’ Consent” www.americaamerica.news/p/what-we-sh...
"It was a dark and almost certainly illegal escalation of the out-of-control agency’s war on the American people, a portrait of an authoritarian secret police that seems set to model itself on history’s worst fascist enforcers."
Excellent piece here. 2 things to note: 1. we should call the "Kavanaugh –beclowned himself– stops", and 2. in theory scotus's decision permits these stops in Los Angeles only, they are illegal when they happen elsewhere. We shouldn't forget that.
America enters a new, dark chapter: "Kavanaugh Raids" on entire buildings and neighborhoods, a chapter surely to be remembered as infamously as we now view the "Palmer Raids" of the first Red Scare. www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/welcome-to...
October 3, 2025 at 9:05 PM
"It was a dark and almost certainly illegal escalation of the out-of-control agency’s war on the American people, a portrait of an authoritarian secret police that seems set to model itself on history’s worst fascist enforcers."
A sobering thought from Judge Sullivan: "I fear President Trump believes the American people are so divided that today they will not stand up, fight for, and defend our most precious constitutional values so long as they are lulled into thinking their own personal interests are not affected."
Noem & Rubio “deliberately & with purposeful afterthought” sought “intentionally to chill the rights of freedom of speech & peacefully to assemble.”The judge’s view tells us with utter clarity their level of hostility to our beloved country & the Constitution.
www.americaamerica.news/p/a-judges-a...
www.americaamerica.news/p/a-judges-a...
A Judge’s Ardent Plea for Free Speech
Reflecting on the wisdom of a Reagan-appointed district judge who stands up for the First Amendment rights of non-citizens that this regime is seeking to deport
www.americaamerica.news
October 3, 2025 at 3:17 PM
A sobering thought from Judge Sullivan: "I fear President Trump believes the American people are so divided that today they will not stand up, fight for, and defend our most precious constitutional values so long as they are lulled into thinking their own personal interests are not affected."
Pretty compelling characterization.
"The top story of the moment is the one story that our most influential newsrooms won’t touch: That the United State has become an authoritarian state." — Dan Froomkin @froomkin.bsky.social
presswatchers.org/2025/08/we-h...
presswatchers.org/2025/08/we-h...
August 27, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Pretty compelling characterization.
This is not what a moral people do. The downside of self-government is that this evil is done in our name.
"Five months into its unprecedented dismantling of foreign-aid programs, the Trump administration has given the order to incinerate food instead of sending it to people who need it"
@hana-kiros.bsky.social, on spending $130,000 to burn food worth $800,000
www.theatlantic.com/health/archi...
@hana-kiros.bsky.social, on spending $130,000 to burn food worth $800,000
www.theatlantic.com/health/archi...
The Trump Administration Is About to Incinerate 500 Tons of Emergency Food
Federal workers warned for months that the high-energy biscuits would go to waste.
www.theatlantic.com
July 16, 2025 at 11:02 PM
This is not what a moral people do. The downside of self-government is that this evil is done in our name.
Reposted by John Carlson
Another excellent explainer by @brieannafrank.bsky.social on the Religion clause cases currently before the court. @micahschwartzman.bsky.social do you know BrieAnna? I will direct her your way if not--she'd very much appreciate it!
Some experts were surprised by the Supreme Court's recent deadlock in a case that could have established the nation's first religious charter school. But there are two other cases on the court's docket that could also reshape religious liberty in the US. Latest from me @usatoday.com:
How the Supreme Court could still reshape religious liberty with decisions in two cases
The court deadlocked in a case that would have created the first religious charter school, but two other significant religion cases remain.
www.usatoday.com
June 3, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Another excellent explainer by @brieannafrank.bsky.social on the Religion clause cases currently before the court. @micahschwartzman.bsky.social do you know BrieAnna? I will direct her your way if not--she'd very much appreciate it!
American exceptionalism requires being the good guys. Or at least trying.
May 11, 2025 at 6:51 PM
American exceptionalism requires being the good guys. Or at least trying.
First Augustinian. First American. First "Leo" since Leo XIII.
This is going to be so interesting--and, I wager, invigorating for our world.
Especially in this so-called postliberal moment.
This is going to be so interesting--and, I wager, invigorating for our world.
Especially in this so-called postliberal moment.
May 8, 2025 at 6:24 PM
First Augustinian. First American. First "Leo" since Leo XIII.
This is going to be so interesting--and, I wager, invigorating for our world.
Especially in this so-called postliberal moment.
This is going to be so interesting--and, I wager, invigorating for our world.
Especially in this so-called postliberal moment.
More evidence that we're going backwards. I'm sure this is all in the name of "deregulation."
www.military.com/daily-news/2...
www.military.com/daily-news/2...
For-Profit Colleges Would Be Freed to Scam Veterans Again Under GOP Bill, Advocates Say
At issue is what's called the 90/10 rule, which limits how much of a for-profit school's revenue can come from federal student aid.
www.military.com
May 7, 2025 at 6:39 PM
More evidence that we're going backwards. I'm sure this is all in the name of "deregulation."
www.military.com/daily-news/2...
www.military.com/daily-news/2...
Recent selections for word of the year:
2016 Post truth
2017 Fake news
2018 Misinformation
2019 Cancel culture (also They)
2020 Pandemic
2021 Vax/vaccine
2022 Gaslighting
2023 AI
2024 Brain rot
Notice a teend?
My prediction for 2025: Bad faith.
2016 Post truth
2017 Fake news
2018 Misinformation
2019 Cancel culture (also They)
2020 Pandemic
2021 Vax/vaccine
2022 Gaslighting
2023 AI
2024 Brain rot
Notice a teend?
My prediction for 2025: Bad faith.
May 6, 2025 at 3:04 AM
Recent selections for word of the year:
2016 Post truth
2017 Fake news
2018 Misinformation
2019 Cancel culture (also They)
2020 Pandemic
2021 Vax/vaccine
2022 Gaslighting
2023 AI
2024 Brain rot
Notice a teend?
My prediction for 2025: Bad faith.
2016 Post truth
2017 Fake news
2018 Misinformation
2019 Cancel culture (also They)
2020 Pandemic
2021 Vax/vaccine
2022 Gaslighting
2023 AI
2024 Brain rot
Notice a teend?
My prediction for 2025: Bad faith.
Holy &$%@!
The federal government plans to eliminate services for LGBTQ youth who call 988, the national suicide and crisis hotline, according to a Health and Human Services budget draft leaked last week.
HHS plans to cut the national suicide hotline’s program for LGBTQ youth
In February, the program received an average of 2,100 contacts per day.
www.motherjones.com
April 22, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Holy &$%@!
Reposted by John Carlson
Somewhat ironic that the least qualified, most unfit and incompetent Sec of Defense in American history is the one who abolished DEI.
April 21, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Somewhat ironic that the least qualified, most unfit and incompetent Sec of Defense in American history is the one who abolished DEI.
Talk about cancel culture!
At least if you go ROTC, you don't have to worry about government censorship like book bans.
At least if you go ROTC, you don't have to worry about government censorship like book bans.
Moral cowardice in action. How can an institution be afraid of Maya Angelou? What is the disadvantage to developing officers who can critically engage with complex topics and opposing viewpoints?
New: The US Naval Academy canceled a lecture that author Ryan Holiday was scheduled to give to students last week after he refused to remove slides from his presentation that criticized the academy’s decision to remove 381 books from its main library. www.cnn.com/2025/04/19/p...
April 20, 2025 at 6:42 AM
Talk about cancel culture!
At least if you go ROTC, you don't have to worry about government censorship like book bans.
At least if you go ROTC, you don't have to worry about government censorship like book bans.
The decision by the academy’s leaders to not protest the original order — which I believe flies in the face of basic academic freedoms and common sense — has put them in the now even stickier position of trying to suppress criticism of that decision.
April 20, 2025 at 3:07 AM
The decision by the academy’s leaders to not protest the original order — which I believe flies in the face of basic academic freedoms and common sense — has put them in the now even stickier position of trying to suppress criticism of that decision.
Joe is going deep here! I'd never guessed 15 years ago that an avid Tea Party guy some day would be quoting Arendt.
See this @samantharhill.bsky.social ?
⬇️⬇️⬇️ Love it!
See this @samantharhill.bsky.social ?
⬇️⬇️⬇️ Love it!
“The death of human empathy is one of the earliest and most telling signs of a culture about to fall into barbarism.”
Hannah Arendt
Hannah Arendt
April 18, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Joe is going deep here! I'd never guessed 15 years ago that an avid Tea Party guy some day would be quoting Arendt.
See this @samantharhill.bsky.social ?
⬇️⬇️⬇️ Love it!
See this @samantharhill.bsky.social ?
⬇️⬇️⬇️ Love it!
⬇️⬇️⬇️
No, you can't just remove a university's tax-exempt status because you disagree with it politically -- Trump's move on Harvard will be challenged in court. And struck down.
But sure, tell me more about how right-wingers are defenders of the First Amendment.
But sure, tell me more about how right-wingers are defenders of the First Amendment.
April 17, 2025 at 5:01 AM
⬇️⬇️⬇️
I feel bad for farmers getting hurt and caught up in tariff chaos. But Trump giving them taxpayer-funded bailouts--since they are from red districts--reinforces the corruption of the tariff regime and deepens divisions between Americans.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
‘Shock to the system’: farmers hit by Trump’s tariffs and cuts say they need another bailout
With extreme weather and Trump’s looming trade war, US farmers are reeling and resigned to needing more cash help
www.theguardian.com
April 16, 2025 at 6:59 AM
I feel bad for farmers getting hurt and caught up in tariff chaos. But Trump giving them taxpayer-funded bailouts--since they are from red districts--reinforces the corruption of the tariff regime and deepens divisions between Americans.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
This ⤵️
Today is Jackie Robinson Day in Major League Baseball.
And yet if Robinson were breaking the color barrier today, Trump would have DOJ prosecute both Robinson and the Dodgers for having "DEI" policies.
And yet if Robinson were breaking the color barrier today, Trump would have DOJ prosecute both Robinson and the Dodgers for having "DEI" policies.
April 16, 2025 at 6:31 AM
This ⤵️
Thirty-six percent of registered voters [and 71% of Republicans] identified themselves as MAGA supporters in the March NBC News poll.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/tru...
www.nbcnews.com/politics/tru...
Polling shows growing number of Republicans identify with the MAGA movement
More than one-third of registered voters identified themselves as MAGA supporters in March's NBC News poll. That includes 71% of Republicans.
www.nbcnews.com
April 16, 2025 at 6:26 AM
Thirty-six percent of registered voters [and 71% of Republicans] identified themselves as MAGA supporters in the March NBC News poll.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/tru...
www.nbcnews.com/politics/tru...
Democracy = govt of the people, by the people, for the people.
So when US govt is sued for abusing its power, that means WE are being sued.
And WE (your tax $ and mine) will pay the damages and fines for this abuse of power.
So when US govt is sued for abusing its power, that means WE are being sued.
And WE (your tax $ and mine) will pay the damages and fines for this abuse of power.
April 15, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Democracy = govt of the people, by the people, for the people.
So when US govt is sued for abusing its power, that means WE are being sued.
And WE (your tax $ and mine) will pay the damages and fines for this abuse of power.
So when US govt is sued for abusing its power, that means WE are being sued.
And WE (your tax $ and mine) will pay the damages and fines for this abuse of power.
Reposted by John Carlson
Harvard has set an example for other higher-ed institutions - rejecting an unlawful and ham-handed attempt to stifle academic freedom, while taking steps to make sure students can benefit from an environment of intellectual inquiry, rigorous debate and mutual respect. Let’s hope others follow suit.
April 15, 2025 at 3:52 AM
Harvard has set an example for other higher-ed institutions - rejecting an unlawful and ham-handed attempt to stifle academic freedom, while taking steps to make sure students can benefit from an environment of intellectual inquiry, rigorous debate and mutual respect. Let’s hope others follow suit.
Reposted by John Carlson
If you are against war crimes only when one side of a conflict commits them, you are pro-war crimes.
April 14, 2025 at 12:05 PM
If you are against war crimes only when one side of a conflict commits them, you are pro-war crimes.
We are becoming a soulless country.
As our selfishness and contempt for "the other" grows, Americans increasingly will turn against fellow citizens whom we also now see as other.
As our selfishness and contempt for "the other" grows, Americans increasingly will turn against fellow citizens whom we also now see as other.
April 7, 2025 at 5:56 AM
We are becoming a soulless country.
As our selfishness and contempt for "the other" grows, Americans increasingly will turn against fellow citizens whom we also now see as other.
As our selfishness and contempt for "the other" grows, Americans increasingly will turn against fellow citizens whom we also now see as other.
A Trump Haiku
An old-fashioned term
Different things in a bag--
Groceries, sort of.
An old-fashioned term
Different things in a bag--
Groceries, sort of.
April 3, 2025 at 12:56 AM
A Trump Haiku
An old-fashioned term
Different things in a bag--
Groceries, sort of.
An old-fashioned term
Different things in a bag--
Groceries, sort of.