Cory Smith
@politicory.bsky.social
Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland. All about the long run and development #EconSky
www.corybsmith.com
www.corybsmith.com
Reposted by Cory Smith
Person who was fired here - you should still trust BLS data. The agency is being run by the same dedicated career staff who were running it while I was awaiting confirmation from the Senate. And the staff have made it clear that they are blowing a loud whistle if there is interference.
February 11, 2026 at 4:25 PM
Person who was fired here - you should still trust BLS data. The agency is being run by the same dedicated career staff who were running it while I was awaiting confirmation from the Senate. And the staff have made it clear that they are blowing a loud whistle if there is interference.
Reposted by Cory Smith
Glad to see this is out in @nber.org WP series and since my excellent co-author @chinemeluokafor.bsky.social and I have been discussing the results for the past few weeks, here's an old-fashioned paper thread on why protests matter/can work to influence economic redistribution 1/n
Study of the 2012 Occupy Nigeria protests presents evidence that protests increase fiscal transfers to protesting regions, but only in politically aligned areas, from @belindaarch.bsky.social, Chinemelu Okafor, Evans S. Osabuohien, and Tom Moerenhout www.nber.org/papers/w34787
February 10, 2026 at 7:36 PM
Glad to see this is out in @nber.org WP series and since my excellent co-author @chinemeluokafor.bsky.social and I have been discussing the results for the past few weeks, here's an old-fashioned paper thread on why protests matter/can work to influence economic redistribution 1/n
Reposted by Cory Smith
No one will be able to say they didn't know what was happening.
NEW: ProPublica went inside the detention center for immigrant families in Dilley, Texas.
Children held there told us about the anguish of being ripped from their lives in the United States and the fear of what comes next.
Children held there told us about the anguish of being ripped from their lives in the United States and the fear of what comes next.
The Kids Trump Sent to ICE’s Dilley Detention Center
ProPublica went inside the immigrant detention center for families in Dilley, Texas. Children held there told us about the anguish of being ripped from their lives in the United States and the fear of...
www.propublica.org
February 9, 2026 at 2:59 PM
No one will be able to say they didn't know what was happening.
Reposted by Cory Smith
This implies death. Mass death.
Caused directly by the decision of the White House and M*sk (then a top White House official) to recklessly obliterate—not reform—our overseas assistance capacity.
Caused directly by the decision of the White House and M*sk (then a top White House official) to recklessly obliterate—not reform—our overseas assistance capacity.
So now we can see the official report of what happened to PEPFAR coverage in 2025 compared to 2024.
14.5m fewer people received testing and counselling (leading to a 400k drop in positive tests)
100,000 fewer on ARVs
1.6m drop in ART patients with documented viral load
14.5m fewer people received testing and counselling (leading to a 400k drop in positive tests)
100,000 fewer on ARVs
1.6m drop in ART patients with documented viral load
February 2, 2026 at 6:12 PM
This implies death. Mass death.
Caused directly by the decision of the White House and M*sk (then a top White House official) to recklessly obliterate—not reform—our overseas assistance capacity.
Caused directly by the decision of the White House and M*sk (then a top White House official) to recklessly obliterate—not reform—our overseas assistance capacity.
Reposted by Cory Smith
My office has been flooded with reports of the cruel, unsafe, unlawful conditions inside of the Whipple detention facility in Minneapolis.
This weekend, I was finally granted access to perform oversight of the facility. youtu.be/0SxPn8n2Bfg
This weekend, I was finally granted access to perform oversight of the facility. youtu.be/0SxPn8n2Bfg
Rep. Morrison details her oversight of the federal Whipple building
YouTube video by Rep. Kelly Morrison
youtu.be
February 1, 2026 at 10:14 PM
My office has been flooded with reports of the cruel, unsafe, unlawful conditions inside of the Whipple detention facility in Minneapolis.
This weekend, I was finally granted access to perform oversight of the facility. youtu.be/0SxPn8n2Bfg
This weekend, I was finally granted access to perform oversight of the facility. youtu.be/0SxPn8n2Bfg
Reposted by Cory Smith
This is sickeningly cruel and inhumane.
Minnesota: "School officials say the [5-year-old] child was used as bait. They say [ICE] agents made little Liam knock on the door to ask to be let in in order to see if anyone else was home."
January 22, 2026 at 1:08 AM
This is sickeningly cruel and inhumane.
Reposted by Cory Smith
I'd just add I don't think the crisis is at all over, because Trump never sticks to agreements just because they're conventionally considered binding. The crisis will only be over when his regime is dislodged from Washington, if then.
If Europe found a way for him to save face and move on, great. But Carney's speech was still spoken and was still true. The bell has rung.
January 21, 2026 at 7:45 PM
I'd just add I don't think the crisis is at all over, because Trump never sticks to agreements just because they're conventionally considered binding. The crisis will only be over when his regime is dislodged from Washington, if then.
Reposted by Cory Smith
Some perspective: The S&P opened down -1.3% on Trump's Greenland saber-rattling. That's $750 billion of wealth destroyed -- roughly equal to estimates of the value of Greenland.
And so ~in dollar terms~ his shenanigans have already cost the US one Greenland, and we've got nothing to show for it.
And so ~in dollar terms~ his shenanigans have already cost the US one Greenland, and we've got nothing to show for it.
January 20, 2026 at 2:48 PM
Some perspective: The S&P opened down -1.3% on Trump's Greenland saber-rattling. That's $750 billion of wealth destroyed -- roughly equal to estimates of the value of Greenland.
And so ~in dollar terms~ his shenanigans have already cost the US one Greenland, and we've got nothing to show for it.
And so ~in dollar terms~ his shenanigans have already cost the US one Greenland, and we've got nothing to show for it.
Reposted by Cory Smith
A lot of international conflicts aren’t black-and-white, but here it is crystal clear.
And it really sucks to unambiguously be the villain.
And it really sucks to unambiguously be the villain.
Footage shows Danish troops arriving in Greenland as part of a new military deployment. Among the personnel who landed on the island is Major General Peter H. Boysen, Chief of the Danish Army Command. #Greenland
January 19, 2026 at 11:15 PM
A lot of international conflicts aren’t black-and-white, but here it is crystal clear.
And it really sucks to unambiguously be the villain.
And it really sucks to unambiguously be the villain.
Reposted by Cory Smith
Yesterday, the State Department expanded the immigrant visa ban to half of all legal immigrants, including all immigrants from 93 countries. No law was passed. Not even an executive order was signed. They just did it. Tweeted it. Banana Republic.
www.cato.org/blog/new-ban...
www.cato.org/blog/new-ban...
New Ban Bars Half of Legal Immigrants, Even Citizens’ Spouses & Kids
Congress needs to reassert its control over the legal immigration system and prevent further attacks by an administration intent on destroying its system.
www.cato.org
January 15, 2026 at 4:07 PM
Yesterday, the State Department expanded the immigrant visa ban to half of all legal immigrants, including all immigrants from 93 countries. No law was passed. Not even an executive order was signed. They just did it. Tweeted it. Banana Republic.
www.cato.org/blog/new-ban...
www.cato.org/blog/new-ban...
Have a friend who is likely stranded from his wife & kids indefinitely because of this. No warning to people who have sunk years of their life into an onerous process
www.npr.org/2026/01/14/g...
www.npr.org/2026/01/14/g...
U.S. to suspend immigrant visas from 75 countries over public assistance concerns
The State Department says it will suspend the processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries whose nationals are deemed likely to require public assistance while living in the United State...
www.npr.org
January 15, 2026 at 3:50 AM
Have a friend who is likely stranded from his wife & kids indefinitely because of this. No warning to people who have sunk years of their life into an onerous process
www.npr.org/2026/01/14/g...
www.npr.org/2026/01/14/g...
Fed rates at 3.5% is not a crime
January 12, 2026 at 3:12 AM
Fed rates at 3.5% is not a crime
Reposted by Cory Smith
You do not want interest rates to be set by political whims because historically everyday people paid the price. Literally.
What can history teach us about what happens when a populist strongman with an idiosyncratic taste for low interest rates undermines central bank independence?
January 12, 2026 at 2:37 AM
You do not want interest rates to be set by political whims because historically everyday people paid the price. Literally.
Reposted by Cory Smith
🤔
Some countries that have prosecuted or threatened to prosecute central bankers for the purpose of political intimidation or punishment for monetary policy decisions: Argentina, Russia, Turkey, Venezuela and Zimbabwe.
January 12, 2026 at 2:41 AM
🤔
Reposted by Cory Smith
I am tired of the lies.
Truth exists. This federal officer was clearly not "run over"—as the US president lied. He was not under attack. He was not forced to shoot this US citizen in the face.
Draw the line now. Allowing government murder with impunity will harm all Conservatives, all Liberals.
Truth exists. This federal officer was clearly not "run over"—as the US president lied. He was not under attack. He was not forced to shoot this US citizen in the face.
Draw the line now. Allowing government murder with impunity will harm all Conservatives, all Liberals.
“An ICE officer, fearing for his life, fired defensive shots.” -DHS
January 7, 2026 at 9:47 PM
I am tired of the lies.
Truth exists. This federal officer was clearly not "run over"—as the US president lied. He was not under attack. He was not forced to shoot this US citizen in the face.
Draw the line now. Allowing government murder with impunity will harm all Conservatives, all Liberals.
Truth exists. This federal officer was clearly not "run over"—as the US president lied. He was not under attack. He was not forced to shoot this US citizen in the face.
Draw the line now. Allowing government murder with impunity will harm all Conservatives, all Liberals.
Reposted by Cory Smith
I was listening to @thebulwark.com's Next Level podcast today and they were thinking through the chance that Trump actually tries to seize Greenland and there was a @jvl.bsky.social sort of 'I kinda hope he does it to drop the mask entirely' and I just cannot scream loudly enough: No, You Do Not. 1/
January 7, 2026 at 4:15 AM
I was listening to @thebulwark.com's Next Level podcast today and they were thinking through the chance that Trump actually tries to seize Greenland and there was a @jvl.bsky.social sort of 'I kinda hope he does it to drop the mask entirely' and I just cannot scream loudly enough: No, You Do Not. 1/
A bit contrary to my expectations, Kalshi has opposition candidates with majority odds* to run Venezuela by the end of the year
kalshi.com/markets/kxve...
* probabilities add up to > 100%, so adjustments necessary to say exactly
kalshi.com/markets/kxve...
* probabilities add up to > 100%, so adjustments necessary to say exactly
Who will lead Venezuela at the end of 2026? Odds & Predictions
Track what Kalshi's markets predict for "Who will lead Venezuela at the end of 2026?", or trade it yourself.
kalshi.com
January 4, 2026 at 6:56 AM
A bit contrary to my expectations, Kalshi has opposition candidates with majority odds* to run Venezuela by the end of the year
kalshi.com/markets/kxve...
* probabilities add up to > 100%, so adjustments necessary to say exactly
kalshi.com/markets/kxve...
* probabilities add up to > 100%, so adjustments necessary to say exactly
The president cannot unilaterally declare war. At least with Iraq, they made a public case for regime change and held a congressional vote.
January 3, 2026 at 6:52 AM
The president cannot unilaterally declare war. At least with Iraq, they made a public case for regime change and held a congressional vote.
Reposted by Cory Smith
This really is grotesque: they went through years-long citizenship processes and are now being denied simply because if the country they are from. It’s formalized bigotry.
“She showed up as scheduled, and when she arrived, officers were asking everyone what country they were from, and if they said a certain country, they were told to step out of line and that their oath ceremonies were canceled.”
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
Immigrants kept from Faneuil Hall citizenship ceremony as feds crackdown nationwide
Trump administration is pausing naturalizations for immigrants from 19 countries.
www.wgbh.org
December 6, 2025 at 12:32 AM
This really is grotesque: they went through years-long citizenship processes and are now being denied simply because if the country they are from. It’s formalized bigotry.
This corresponds to my basic, two-part take
(1) the essay isn't my cup of tea, but 0/25 seems harsh based on the rubric
(2) there are way saner grade dispute mechanisms that don't involve administrative leave and a national conversation
(1) the essay isn't my cup of tea, but 0/25 seems harsh based on the rubric
(2) there are way saner grade dispute mechanisms that don't involve administrative leave and a national conversation
December 1, 2025 at 3:15 PM
This corresponds to my basic, two-part take
(1) the essay isn't my cup of tea, but 0/25 seems harsh based on the rubric
(2) there are way saner grade dispute mechanisms that don't involve administrative leave and a national conversation
(1) the essay isn't my cup of tea, but 0/25 seems harsh based on the rubric
(2) there are way saner grade dispute mechanisms that don't involve administrative leave and a national conversation
Reposted by Cory Smith
My wife went through this process. It’s horrific that it’s being turned into a game of Russian roulette by ICE.
"We followed everything we were supposed to do"
Legitimate green card applicants with US spouses are being
arrested by armed, masked men at scheduled immigration interviews, taken away from their children, sent to prison
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Legitimate green card applicants with US spouses are being
arrested by armed, masked men at scheduled immigration interviews, taken away from their children, sent to prison
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Green Card Interviews End in Handcuffs for Spouses of U.S. Citizens
www.nytimes.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:04 PM
My wife went through this process. It’s horrific that it’s being turned into a game of Russian roulette by ICE.
This is really sad news -- and I'd hoped so hard this would never happen
BREAKING NEWS: Both National Guard members shot in DC have died of their injuries, WV governor says >> https://www.13abc.com/2025/11/26/two-national-guard-members-shot-near-white-house-their-conditions-unknown-ap-source-says/
November 26, 2025 at 8:55 PM
This is really sad news -- and I'd hoped so hard this would never happen
Reposted by Cory Smith
This is very bad wjla.com/news/local/s...
3 people, including 2 National Guard troops, hurt in Northwest DC shooting
Metropolitan police are investigating a shooting in Northwest DCOfficers confirmed the gunfire in the area of 17th and I streets Northwest
wjla.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:07 PM
This is very bad wjla.com/news/local/s...
Reposted by Cory Smith
🆕 How public education transforms opportunity: Evidence from the 1870 Education Act
Today on VoxDev, Ben Milner explores lessons from British history showing how targeted public investment in education can help narrow the gap in opportunity between rich and poor children: voxdev.org/topic/educat...
Today on VoxDev, Ben Milner explores lessons from British history showing how targeted public investment in education can help narrow the gap in opportunity between rich and poor children: voxdev.org/topic/educat...
How public education transforms opportunity: Evidence from the 1870 Education Act
The 1870 Education Act demonstrates how targeted public investment in education can help narrow the gap in opportunity between rich and poor children.
voxdev.org
November 24, 2025 at 7:50 AM
🆕 How public education transforms opportunity: Evidence from the 1870 Education Act
Today on VoxDev, Ben Milner explores lessons from British history showing how targeted public investment in education can help narrow the gap in opportunity between rich and poor children: voxdev.org/topic/educat...
Today on VoxDev, Ben Milner explores lessons from British history showing how targeted public investment in education can help narrow the gap in opportunity between rich and poor children: voxdev.org/topic/educat...