Matthew Cebul
@matthewcebul.bsky.social
Political scientist studying civil resistance, democratic erosion, and US foreign policy in MENA. Lead Research Fellow at HKS Nonviolent Action Lab; formerly USIP. Manservant to Korra the cat.
Lives for Alcaraz highlights, epic fantasy, and "draw a card."
Lives for Alcaraz highlights, epic fantasy, and "draw a card."
Pinned
Matthew Cebul
@matthewcebul.bsky.social
· Jul 23
‘Andor’ Can Teach Us a Lot About Nonviolent Resistance, Too
Andor is quickly becoming canon for experts on insurgencies and armed rebellions. But it has a lot to say about nonviolent civil resistance, too.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
Today, I wrote for @wpr.bsky.social on Andor and its lessons for nonviolent resistance.
Andor is truly a masterpiece, and my writing can't do it justice. Still, I hope you find as much inspiration in the show (and this commentary) as I did!
Andor is truly a masterpiece, and my writing can't do it justice. Still, I hope you find as much inspiration in the show (and this commentary) as I did!
If you're mad about Surrender Schumer et al, channel that rage into volunteering with Indivisible in the Dem primaries.
To sweeten the deal, they give you the opportunity to write a personal note to Schumer. Which I had *a lot* of fun with.
www.indivisible2026.org?utm_source=l...
To sweeten the deal, they give you the opportunity to write a personal note to Schumer. Which I had *a lot* of fun with.
www.indivisible2026.org?utm_source=l...
Democratic leaders have failed us again. It's time to get new leaders.
After yet another capitulation by Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats, it's clear we need new leadership capable of mounting a serious opposition to Trump's authoritarian regime. We're launching our la...
www.indivisible2026.org
November 11, 2025 at 8:43 PM
If you're mad about Surrender Schumer et al, channel that rage into volunteering with Indivisible in the Dem primaries.
To sweeten the deal, they give you the opportunity to write a personal note to Schumer. Which I had *a lot* of fun with.
www.indivisible2026.org?utm_source=l...
To sweeten the deal, they give you the opportunity to write a personal note to Schumer. Which I had *a lot* of fun with.
www.indivisible2026.org?utm_source=l...
My position hasn't changed since March: ZERO donations to ANY incumbent Dems until Schumer steps down.
"But some are good!"
Too bad. Dems need to feel existential pressure for change. The good apples can fight to bring down Schumer and transform the party, or they can go down with the ship.
"But some are good!"
Too bad. Dems need to feel existential pressure for change. The good apples can fight to bring down Schumer and transform the party, or they can go down with the ship.
Yup, and the damage isn’t so much in the story as in the proof of weakness. Trump now knows he has new torture tools to make Dems do what he wants. It’s why at least one of the 7 capitulators oughta be run out of office now, mid session. Get that number down to 6. www.offmessage.net/p/16-thought...
November 10, 2025 at 3:12 PM
My position hasn't changed since March: ZERO donations to ANY incumbent Dems until Schumer steps down.
"But some are good!"
Too bad. Dems need to feel existential pressure for change. The good apples can fight to bring down Schumer and transform the party, or they can go down with the ship.
"But some are good!"
Too bad. Dems need to feel existential pressure for change. The good apples can fight to bring down Schumer and transform the party, or they can go down with the ship.
Not one -- *many* cleansing primary seasons.
The US democracy movement needs to lock in for the long haul. Every elected Dem should face the music on this -- repeatedly, if necessary.
We take it one step at a time, but our attitude should be that we will not quit until we own the Dems entirely.
The US democracy movement needs to lock in for the long haul. Every elected Dem should face the music on this -- repeatedly, if necessary.
We take it one step at a time, but our attitude should be that we will not quit until we own the Dems entirely.
This is the message of a failed, feckless, and leaderless party. We need a party with backbone, and the only path to it is through a cleansing primary season. If your Dem is up for reelection, and you aren't damn sure they're fighting the fascists with everything they've got, primary the bastard.
Sen. Angus King: "Standing up to Donald Trump didn't work"
November 10, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Not one -- *many* cleansing primary seasons.
The US democracy movement needs to lock in for the long haul. Every elected Dem should face the music on this -- repeatedly, if necessary.
We take it one step at a time, but our attitude should be that we will not quit until we own the Dems entirely.
The US democracy movement needs to lock in for the long haul. Every elected Dem should face the music on this -- repeatedly, if necessary.
We take it one step at a time, but our attitude should be that we will not quit until we own the Dems entirely.
Idk if AOC is “electable” or whatever, but if she runs for president, she‘s gonna win the Dem primaries. Like, all of them.
An anti-establishment Dem who is both charismatic and deeply loyal to the party? Surrender Schumer is serving it up for AOC on a silver platter.
An anti-establishment Dem who is both charismatic and deeply loyal to the party? Surrender Schumer is serving it up for AOC on a silver platter.
Even more true today: Democrats are ripe for a base revolt like the GOP in 2015 when Trump went down the escalator.
November 10, 2025 at 3:41 AM
Idk if AOC is “electable” or whatever, but if she runs for president, she‘s gonna win the Dem primaries. Like, all of them.
An anti-establishment Dem who is both charismatic and deeply loyal to the party? Surrender Schumer is serving it up for AOC on a silver platter.
An anti-establishment Dem who is both charismatic and deeply loyal to the party? Surrender Schumer is serving it up for AOC on a silver platter.
Reposted by Matthew Cebul
Even if I accept these claims—and I do not—none of this is justification for caving today.
Dems could have used the holidays to ratchet up pressure on Trump to engage (or to further immolate over SNAP funding and drive his poll numbers down).
Instead, they caved two weeks early.
Dems could have used the holidays to ratchet up pressure on Trump to engage (or to further immolate over SNAP funding and drive his poll numbers down).
Instead, they caved two weeks early.
I will probably get excommunicated from Bsky for saying that, but I can see a case for ending the shutdown now.
- Millions of civil servants did not get a salary for over a month, and millions are losing SNAP going into the holiday season.
- But, just as important...
- Millions of civil servants did not get a salary for over a month, and millions are losing SNAP going into the holiday season.
- But, just as important...
November 10, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Even if I accept these claims—and I do not—none of this is justification for caving today.
Dems could have used the holidays to ratchet up pressure on Trump to engage (or to further immolate over SNAP funding and drive his poll numbers down).
Instead, they caved two weeks early.
Dems could have used the holidays to ratchet up pressure on Trump to engage (or to further immolate over SNAP funding and drive his poll numbers down).
Instead, they caved two weeks early.
Reposted by Matthew Cebul
Dem electeds still do not understand that, as livid as Americans are with Trump, they are just as, if not more furious with the Dems’ jaw-dropping cowardice as Trump walks all over their constituents.
November 10, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Dem electeds still do not understand that, as livid as Americans are with Trump, they are just as, if not more furious with the Dems’ jaw-dropping cowardice as Trump walks all over their constituents.
One silver lining from this disaster is that the Dems who will cave on this are likely the same Dems who want to keep the filibuster — we now have an even more legible justification for voters to cull them.
Dems backed Trump into a corner where he’s advocating for starving Americans and hemorrhaging support. If they vote to let him off the hook in exchange for nothing it’s a cataclysmic failure. I know people are in pain but insulating Republicans from political consequences is not the answer.
November 9, 2025 at 11:16 PM
One silver lining from this disaster is that the Dems who will cave on this are likely the same Dems who want to keep the filibuster — we now have an even more legible justification for voters to cull them.
Meanwhile, in the Middle East: 👀👀👀
“The United States is preparing to establish a military presence at an airbase in Damascus to help enable a security pact that Washington is brokering between Syria and Israel, six sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.” Really now.
November 6, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Meanwhile, in the Middle East: 👀👀👀
More of this. Dems should explicitly invoke Trump’s “dealmaker” status to force him into the conversation.
This also has the added benefit of totally humiliating Congressional Rs as toadies who clearly can’t think or act for themselves
This also has the added benefit of totally humiliating Congressional Rs as toadies who clearly can’t think or act for themselves
Day 37 of America held hostage by Trump and Republicans. Time for Trump to start using those negotiation skills he talks so much about and help us reopen the government and lower healthcare costs.
November 6, 2025 at 8:27 PM
More of this. Dems should explicitly invoke Trump’s “dealmaker” status to force him into the conversation.
This also has the added benefit of totally humiliating Congressional Rs as toadies who clearly can’t think or act for themselves
This also has the added benefit of totally humiliating Congressional Rs as toadies who clearly can’t think or act for themselves
DC JURY: AIRBORNE SUB WAS A MOMENT OF LEAVITY
November 6, 2025 at 8:21 PM
DC JURY: AIRBORNE SUB WAS A MOMENT OF LEAVITY
I already knew that Trump truly doesn’t give a damn if we all drop dead.
But like…damn.
But like…damn.
incredible photo that's definitely worth at least 1,000 words from Andrew Harnik of Getty
November 6, 2025 at 6:46 PM
I already knew that Trump truly doesn’t give a damn if we all drop dead.
But like…damn.
But like…damn.
*thump* anti-corruption
*thump thump* anti-corruption
*Thump Thump* anti-corruption
*THUMP THUMP* ANTI-CORRUPTION
*thump thump* anti-corruption
*Thump Thump* anti-corruption
*THUMP THUMP* ANTI-CORRUPTION
November 6, 2025 at 12:15 AM
*thump* anti-corruption
*thump thump* anti-corruption
*Thump Thump* anti-corruption
*THUMP THUMP* ANTI-CORRUPTION
*thump thump* anti-corruption
*Thump Thump* anti-corruption
*THUMP THUMP* ANTI-CORRUPTION
This was obvious before, but it is now explicit: Trump wants to kill the filibuster in order to rig future elections.
But that *does not mean* that Democrats should cave on the shutdown. The filibuster is driving a wedge between Trump and the GOP Senate: force them to choke on it.
But that *does not mean* that Democrats should cave on the shutdown. The filibuster is driving a wedge between Trump and the GOP Senate: force them to choke on it.
Trump: "It's time for Republicans to do what they have to do and that's terminate the filibuster ... we should start tonight with 'the country's open, congratulations,' then we should pass voted ID, we should pass no mail in voting ... you go to a grocery store, you have to give ID."
November 5, 2025 at 2:13 PM
This was obvious before, but it is now explicit: Trump wants to kill the filibuster in order to rig future elections.
But that *does not mean* that Democrats should cave on the shutdown. The filibuster is driving a wedge between Trump and the GOP Senate: force them to choke on it.
But that *does not mean* that Democrats should cave on the shutdown. The filibuster is driving a wedge between Trump and the GOP Senate: force them to choke on it.
I mean, really, if the Dems can't figure out a way to combine "anti-corruption" + "affordability" into a clear campaign strategy, they deserve to lose.
A pro-affordability, anti-Trump-corruption message unites the party. Every candidate can run on that, and every candidate can have their own take to fit that to their constituents. There's really no need to find fights to pick when the party agrees on more than it disagrees
Came here to say this, but Jamelle Bouie has this covered. 👇
When the Democratic tent includes candidates like Spanberger and Mamdani, there is no crisis, or fight, for the party. IT’S A COALITION, NOT A POINT ESTIMATE.
When the Democratic tent includes candidates like Spanberger and Mamdani, there is no crisis, or fight, for the party. IT’S A COALITION, NOT A POINT ESTIMATE.
November 5, 2025 at 2:20 AM
I mean, really, if the Dems can't figure out a way to combine "anti-corruption" + "affordability" into a clear campaign strategy, they deserve to lose.
Setting the punditry debates aside, today's elections should make it *very* clear that American liberalism's demise has been greatly exaggerated.
People do not like incompetent ham-fisted tyranny. Liberals have a winning hand -- they should act like it!
People do not like incompetent ham-fisted tyranny. Liberals have a winning hand -- they should act like it!
November 5, 2025 at 1:31 AM
Setting the punditry debates aside, today's elections should make it *very* clear that American liberalism's demise has been greatly exaggerated.
People do not like incompetent ham-fisted tyranny. Liberals have a winning hand -- they should act like it!
People do not like incompetent ham-fisted tyranny. Liberals have a winning hand -- they should act like it!
"Fight harder, polarize everything" has been blindingly obvious since Jan. 20, 2025, and the only thing more obvious is that current Dem leadership doesn't have the stones for it.
Swalwell/Murphy/others are starting to get it, but they are kneecapped by their apathetic senior colleagues.
Swalwell/Murphy/others are starting to get it, but they are kneecapped by their apathetic senior colleagues.
November 4, 2025 at 6:47 PM
"Fight harder, polarize everything" has been blindingly obvious since Jan. 20, 2025, and the only thing more obvious is that current Dem leadership doesn't have the stones for it.
Swalwell/Murphy/others are starting to get it, but they are kneecapped by their apathetic senior colleagues.
Swalwell/Murphy/others are starting to get it, but they are kneecapped by their apathetic senior colleagues.
🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯
The logical implication of this thread is that Dems need to stop arguing over "moderation" and instead commit to a plan that actually addresses their two big problems:
1) Structural conservative advantages in Congress (DC statehood, expand House, PR)
2) Conservative media domination (???)
The logical implication of this thread is that Dems need to stop arguing over "moderation" and instead commit to a plan that actually addresses their two big problems:
1) Structural conservative advantages in Congress (DC statehood, expand House, PR)
2) Conservative media domination (???)
What's happening is that these commentators adopt Republican talking points about the Democratic agenda. That's it, that's the whole story. Their source of information about Democrats and Democratic priorities is Republicans and Republican-aligned media
👇🎯
These candidates actually existed.
The Democratic Party actually had a platform. Ezra Douthglesias could still go read it. They choose not to, or to pretend it didn't exist: www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/20....
Just have the courage of your convictions, please: bsky.app/profile/will...
These candidates actually existed.
The Democratic Party actually had a platform. Ezra Douthglesias could still go read it. They choose not to, or to pretend it didn't exist: www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/20....
Just have the courage of your convictions, please: bsky.app/profile/will...
November 4, 2025 at 4:51 PM
🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯
The logical implication of this thread is that Dems need to stop arguing over "moderation" and instead commit to a plan that actually addresses their two big problems:
1) Structural conservative advantages in Congress (DC statehood, expand House, PR)
2) Conservative media domination (???)
The logical implication of this thread is that Dems need to stop arguing over "moderation" and instead commit to a plan that actually addresses their two big problems:
1) Structural conservative advantages in Congress (DC statehood, expand House, PR)
2) Conservative media domination (???)
I am convinced that the path forward for Dems is to explicitly lean into an institutional reform agenda, framed as the solution to endemic GOP corruption.
Use the most corrupt presidency in American history to justify transformational reforms that will prevent this stuff from ever happening again.
Use the most corrupt presidency in American history to justify transformational reforms that will prevent this stuff from ever happening again.
Getting Republicans to attack the constitutional restoration agenda is Good, Actually, since it should generate more discussion, raise attention & salience, and activate partisanship
Johnson: "If they had no filibuster, they would pack the SCOTUS. You'd go from 9 to 17 or however many liberals they could pack. You would make DC & Puerto Rico into states, which would give 4 additional Democrat senators & make us a permanent minority. You'd see massive restrictions of 2A rights"
November 3, 2025 at 6:17 PM
I am convinced that the path forward for Dems is to explicitly lean into an institutional reform agenda, framed as the solution to endemic GOP corruption.
Use the most corrupt presidency in American history to justify transformational reforms that will prevent this stuff from ever happening again.
Use the most corrupt presidency in American history to justify transformational reforms that will prevent this stuff from ever happening again.
Tired: 👊🇺🇸🔥
Wired: 🙈🙉🙊
Wired: 🙈🙉🙊
We've got you 👍
November 3, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Tired: 👊🇺🇸🔥
Wired: 🙈🙉🙊
Wired: 🙈🙉🙊
All of the above
The "let them eat cake" attitude of Trump is really on display. Three theories: 1) he has no idea what his policies are doing to millions of Americans; 2) as goes with authoritarians, nobody inside will tell him this is a bad look; 3) he has stopped caring because he rules as an authoritarian.
Dancers at Trump’s Halloween party as people begin losing food stamps under his administration
November 1, 2025 at 7:49 PM
All of the above
I’m at the gym, and a radio ad just played the old internet dial up tone with the (incredulous) voice over: “that was the INTERNET in the 90s…but now you have blazing fast connections…”
I can’t tell if I’m the target demographic or the punchline
I can’t tell if I’m the target demographic or the punchline
October 31, 2025 at 10:11 PM
I’m at the gym, and a radio ad just played the old internet dial up tone with the (incredulous) voice over: “that was the INTERNET in the 90s…but now you have blazing fast connections…”
I can’t tell if I’m the target demographic or the punchline
I can’t tell if I’m the target demographic or the punchline
Bluesky: road rage, but for the poasters
October 31, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Bluesky: road rage, but for the poasters