Tom Nichols
@radiofreetom.bsky.social
Staff writer at The Atlantic. Cat guy, democracy defender. Actor for a day on Succession, Jeopardy champ. New Englander and curmudgeon.
Pinned
Pete Hegseth Should Sit This One Out
By inserting himself into the situation in Minnesota, the secretary of defense is only making things worse.
www.theatlantic.com
"Pete Hegseth might consider adding another task to his many duties, one that would be of immense help to the nation and to the armed forces: He should shut up."
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
Oh come on, 2026, it's still January. Not this.
One of the greats. RIP.
One of the greats. RIP.
January 30, 2026 at 6:13 PM
Oh come on, 2026, it's still January. Not this.
One of the greats. RIP.
One of the greats. RIP.
I don't disagree here with Patrick. But "fascism" - to me, as a political scientist - means more than "fascist ideas." It means a mass party, a promulgated ideology, the extinguishing of all other centers of social association, and especially parties and the media. Not even close to that - yet.
So to my mind, the question isn't whether Trump's administration is fascist (in mindset and intent), but how effective it is at prevailing and imposing its will. The record is mixed, and I agree that people who claim we are already living under a totalitarian regime are grossly exaggerating.
January 30, 2026 at 6:12 PM
I don't disagree here with Patrick. But "fascism" - to me, as a political scientist - means more than "fascist ideas." It means a mass party, a promulgated ideology, the extinguishing of all other centers of social association, and especially parties and the media. Not even close to that - yet.
Political scientists have been writing about this for 60 years at least.
We need name for government that crosses the line into authoritarian but not any one pure version of it, is a hybrid of features/traits and elements of multiple types of authoritarianism, such as fascism, single party, patrimonial, etc. Tom, this is your mission should you choose to accept it.
January 30, 2026 at 5:39 PM
Political scientists have been writing about this for 60 years at least.
I think we're farther away from it than we were a year ago, but that doesn't mean the administration isn't going to throw everything at the wall in desperation.
I just started reading “Stasiland“ by Anna Funder, and it shows what true brutal authoritarianism is like. We are not close to that level of oppression, but that doesn’t mean we should pretend it couldn’t happen here. And we are closer than we were a year ago.
January 30, 2026 at 5:34 PM
I think we're farther away from it than we were a year ago, but that doesn't mean the administration isn't going to throw everything at the wall in desperation.
Reposted by Tom Nichols
Source familiar with Don Lemon's arrest tells me DOJ went to a grand jury to secure an indictment (DOJ's effort to get a criminal complaint had already been rejected in court twice).
This is ugly. More soon.
This is ugly. More soon.
January 30, 2026 at 3:24 PM
Source familiar with Don Lemon's arrest tells me DOJ went to a grand jury to secure an indictment (DOJ's effort to get a criminal complaint had already been rejected in court twice).
This is ugly. More soon.
This is ugly. More soon.
This
I don't know. I think in some ways it's worthwhile to point out that as bad as things are most of us have no idea how bad they could really be if we become an actual fascist state. It's actually a calling for us to do MORE right now while we can.
January 30, 2026 at 5:23 PM
This
Reposted by Tom Nichols
Let me reiterate: THEY DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH GUYS TO PERSECUTE LARGE NUMBERS OF DISSENTERS. What they are doing, instead, is using fear and paranoia as a force multiplier: they don’t have to persecute us if we keep ourselves home because someone told us we can’t walk in public without being terrified.
January 30, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Let me reiterate: THEY DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH GUYS TO PERSECUTE LARGE NUMBERS OF DISSENTERS. What they are doing, instead, is using fear and paranoia as a force multiplier: they don’t have to persecute us if we keep ourselves home because someone told us we can’t walk in public without being terrified.
Reposted by Tom Nichols
I’m so glad you went. I had many people ask me - “is it safe? Should I leave my phone and ID at home? Do I need an exit strategy?”
We’re building this bizarre and paranoid civic culture based almost entirely on miasmatic online fear endlessly feeding itself. Selma marchers didn’t even mask!
We’re building this bizarre and paranoid civic culture based almost entirely on miasmatic online fear endlessly feeding itself. Selma marchers didn’t even mask!
Online security theater posting made me really afraid about having my phone or showing my face before going to a no kings protest and then when I got there it was a great time and my mom was taking pictures of everything lol. I felt ridiculous because I almost didn’t go people made it sound so risky
January 30, 2026 at 4:33 PM
I’m so glad you went. I had many people ask me - “is it safe? Should I leave my phone and ID at home? Do I need an exit strategy?”
We’re building this bizarre and paranoid civic culture based almost entirely on miasmatic online fear endlessly feeding itself. Selma marchers didn’t even mask!
We’re building this bizarre and paranoid civic culture based almost entirely on miasmatic online fear endlessly feeding itself. Selma marchers didn’t even mask!
Reposted by Tom Nichols
Trump's awful post about Alex Pretti am confirms this point -- he's not sorry, he's not pivoting, and he'll use the same playbook as ever to survive yet another scandal that would have destroyed any other politician
my new column: www.newyorker.com/news/letter-...
my new column: www.newyorker.com/news/letter-...
Operation Trump Rehab
After a wave of public revulsion over the President’s immigration crackdown in Minnesota, he offers a familiar playbook: distraction, disinformation, denial, delay.
www.newyorker.com
January 30, 2026 at 1:08 PM
Trump's awful post about Alex Pretti am confirms this point -- he's not sorry, he's not pivoting, and he'll use the same playbook as ever to survive yet another scandal that would have destroyed any other politician
my new column: www.newyorker.com/news/letter-...
my new column: www.newyorker.com/news/letter-...
The same way I did years ago about "terrorism," and people should wish I'd won that one, too
Yes, he's knows we're in a struggle and he knows there are things we can do about it
My only point is that instead of diverting people's focus that way, he mired himself in an argument about definitions
My only point is that instead of diverting people's focus that way, he mired himself in an argument about definitions
January 30, 2026 at 5:18 PM
The same way I did years ago about "terrorism," and people should wish I'd won that one, too
Reposted by Tom Nichols
The charges against Don Lemon are ridiculous. He’s a target because he’s black, because he’s media, and because he’s a Trump critic, and because Trump and his minions cannot accept any dissent. It’s deeply pathetic, unamerican, and lawless.
January 30, 2026 at 2:19 PM
The charges against Don Lemon are ridiculous. He’s a target because he’s black, because he’s media, and because he’s a Trump critic, and because Trump and his minions cannot accept any dissent. It’s deeply pathetic, unamerican, and lawless.
The history books will be kind to me, for I intend to write them
I thought he was waiting to see if Donnie had the power to dictate everything. I mean, trump is dictating everything but it appears Mr Nichols doesn't think trump is a dictator or that this isn't fascism yet. I guess he needs to wait for the history books to be written about it first.
January 30, 2026 at 5:10 PM
The history books will be kind to me, for I intend to write them
Reposted by Tom Nichols
New survey from Pew 🧵
Trump's approval is down to 37. He's 24 points underwater.
Only 27% of Americans support most/all of Trump's policies.
By two-to-one margins, Americans say the Trump administration has made their life worse, not better.
Trump's approval is down to 37. He's 24 points underwater.
Only 27% of Americans support most/all of Trump's policies.
By two-to-one margins, Americans say the Trump administration has made their life worse, not better.
January 30, 2026 at 1:48 PM
New survey from Pew 🧵
Trump's approval is down to 37. He's 24 points underwater.
Only 27% of Americans support most/all of Trump's policies.
By two-to-one margins, Americans say the Trump administration has made their life worse, not better.
Trump's approval is down to 37. He's 24 points underwater.
Only 27% of Americans support most/all of Trump's policies.
By two-to-one margins, Americans say the Trump administration has made their life worse, not better.
Reposted by Tom Nichols
We are *in* a struggle with an authoritarian government. I'm tired of explaining that there are a lot of versions of repressive governments before you get to something like fascism, so feel free to call it whatever you like.
Cute, but seriously, Tom, we seem to always be asymptotically approaching fascism in your view but can never get there.
Yet we're checking off boxes at an accelerating rate. How close is close enough?
"There's air conditioning in this train car, so...not yet fascism!" - Tom, as we're all led away
Yet we're checking off boxes at an accelerating rate. How close is close enough?
"There's air conditioning in this train car, so...not yet fascism!" - Tom, as we're all led away
January 30, 2026 at 5:06 PM
We are *in* a struggle with an authoritarian government. I'm tired of explaining that there are a lot of versions of repressive governments before you get to something like fascism, so feel free to call it whatever you like.
I haven't really ever been asked this. I'll have to get back to you.
Hey @radiofreetom.bsky.social, is it fair to say the executive branch is fascist?
January 30, 2026 at 5:02 PM
I haven't really ever been asked this. I'll have to get back to you.
Reposted by Tom Nichols
Evergreen
The Gleeful Cruelty of the White House X Account
Welcome to the 4chan administration.
www.theatlantic.com
January 30, 2026 at 3:59 PM
Evergreen
Reposted by Tom Nichols
"Retired Air Force Gen. Michael Hayden, who led both the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency and is a former senior ODNI leader, called Gabbard’s appearance in Georgia 'unbelievable.'
“'She has no responsibility for that, at all,' Hayden said."
wapo.st/4t9kfNq
“'She has no responsibility for that, at all,' Hayden said."
wapo.st/4t9kfNq
Tulsi Gabbard’s appearance at Fulton County FBI raid raises questions
Lawmakers called for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to explain the presence of the nation’s top spy at a domestic law enforcement action in Georgia.
wapo.st
January 30, 2026 at 4:00 PM
"Retired Air Force Gen. Michael Hayden, who led both the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency and is a former senior ODNI leader, called Gabbard’s appearance in Georgia 'unbelievable.'
“'She has no responsibility for that, at all,' Hayden said."
wapo.st/4t9kfNq
“'She has no responsibility for that, at all,' Hayden said."
wapo.st/4t9kfNq
Reposted by Tom Nichols
We harp on Newsom to point out the fatal thinking that social media alone wins elections. It is vital, but like anything else it has to center around clear theme and argument. Pointing fingers at “Donald” is not enough.
Sir, I know there is a lot of posturing going on right now and it matters some, but the nomination process is going to pull so many surprises that I have a hard time getting too worked up about any candidate as of now.
January 30, 2026 at 3:26 PM
We harp on Newsom to point out the fatal thinking that social media alone wins elections. It is vital, but like anything else it has to center around clear theme and argument. Pointing fingers at “Donald” is not enough.
Reposted by Tom Nichols
From @joshgerstein.bsky.social: "The criminal case against Lemon sets up the biggest First Amendment showdown of President Donald Trump’s presidency."
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
Don Lemon arrested over Minnesota church protest after judge previously rejected charge
The chief federal judge in Minneapolis said he saw no probable cause to arrest the longtime journalist.
www.politico.com
January 30, 2026 at 3:46 PM
From @joshgerstein.bsky.social: "The criminal case against Lemon sets up the biggest First Amendment showdown of President Donald Trump’s presidency."
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
Reposted by Tom Nichols
Bondi: "At my direction" feds arrested journalists.
At direction of AG may be because:
"Career DOJ prosecutors in both Minnesota and Los Angeles refused to be involved...The prosecutors believe the evidence does not support the charges." (per @kylegriffin1.bsky.social re @carolleonnig.bsky.social)
At direction of AG may be because:
"Career DOJ prosecutors in both Minnesota and Los Angeles refused to be involved...The prosecutors believe the evidence does not support the charges." (per @kylegriffin1.bsky.social re @carolleonnig.bsky.social)
January 30, 2026 at 3:46 PM
Bondi: "At my direction" feds arrested journalists.
At direction of AG may be because:
"Career DOJ prosecutors in both Minnesota and Los Angeles refused to be involved...The prosecutors believe the evidence does not support the charges." (per @kylegriffin1.bsky.social re @carolleonnig.bsky.social)
At direction of AG may be because:
"Career DOJ prosecutors in both Minnesota and Los Angeles refused to be involved...The prosecutors believe the evidence does not support the charges." (per @kylegriffin1.bsky.social re @carolleonnig.bsky.social)
I am a great believer in St. Teresa's warning that more tears are shed over answered prayers
Sometime we take the paths we choose and other times the paths were given and we'll never know which one is better til we get there. 🙇
Many paths I've be given have taken me places I certainly didn't mind being! 😊
Many paths I've be given have taken me places I certainly didn't mind being! 😊
January 30, 2026 at 5:47 AM
I am a great believer in St. Teresa's warning that more tears are shed over answered prayers
Officials overseeing Trump’s mass-deportation campaign are fighting one another for power.
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
Battles Are Raging Inside the Department of Homeland Security
Officials overseeing Trump’s mass-deportation campaign are fighting one another for power.
www.theatlantic.com
January 30, 2026 at 5:41 AM
Officials overseeing Trump’s mass-deportation campaign are fighting one another for power.
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
True, but if Dartmouth hadn't fired me, I'd have never met my wife, so it was worth it :)
Amazing how often academia resists its very reason of existence. 💁
January 30, 2026 at 5:35 AM
True, but if Dartmouth hadn't fired me, I'd have never met my wife, so it was worth it :)