Sam Bagenstos
@sbagen.bsky.social
Personal account. Personal views. Frank G. Millard Professor of Law, University of Michigan Law School & Arlene Susan Kohn Professor of Social Policy, University of Michigan Ford School of Public Policy. Former General Counsel, HHS and OMB.
This book was outstanding. I probably ranked it third behind The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny and Flashlight. But such a strong field. open.substack.com/pub/thebooke...
Flesh by David Szalay wins the Booker Prize 2025
As David Szalay wins for Flesh, here’s everything you need to know about the winning novel and its author
open.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:52 AM
This book was outstanding. I probably ranked it third behind The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny and Flashlight. But such a strong field. open.substack.com/pub/thebooke...
Reposted by Sam Bagenstos
A must-read for all sorts of reasons, especially its cataloging of all the ways Trump is silencing dissent
Over the last 10 months, the federal government has cracked down on political expression with a persistence and viciousness reminiscent of some of the darkest periods of U.S. history. Welcome to the Third Red Scare.
The First Amendment Won’t Go Quietly
Welcome to the third Red Scare.
www.theatlantic.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:20 PM
A must-read for all sorts of reasons, especially its cataloging of all the ways Trump is silencing dissent
Pre-ordered!
I feel silly publicizing a book in these times BUT my book describes how constitutional structures allowed the accumulation of generational wealth + rights for settlers and white people. These are the same advantages MAGA is trying to preserve today. Pre-order page:
November 10, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Pre-ordered!
I just shared Daniel's newsletter. Now read this thread to see what's really going on behind the theater on the end of the shutdown.
Some thoughts on the CR/minibus.
1 The Dems negotiating with Rs were not freelancing. They coordinated with Sen Schumer. A few were ready to give in on day one, others worked to maximize appropriations wins.
Those voting for the 'deal' are the ones furthest away from electoral consequences.
1 The Dems negotiating with Rs were not freelancing. They coordinated with Sen Schumer. A few were ready to give in on day one, others worked to maximize appropriations wins.
Those voting for the 'deal' are the ones furthest away from electoral consequences.
November 10, 2025 at 2:01 PM
I just shared Daniel's newsletter. Now read this thread to see what's really going on behind the theater on the end of the shutdown.
If you care about how Congress works, this newsletter is always a must-read. The analysis of how Pelosi's consolidation of authority in leadership both was the secret to her very real policy successes and laid the groundwork for our current troubles is smart. open.substack.com/pub/firstbra...
Master of the House: The Pelosi Paradox
How the Strongest Speaker Made Congress Weak
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:55 PM
If you care about how Congress works, this newsletter is always a must-read. The analysis of how Pelosi's consolidation of authority in leadership both was the secret to her very real policy successes and laid the groundwork for our current troubles is smart. open.substack.com/pub/firstbra...
Reposted by Sam Bagenstos
Unfortunately still true bsky.app/profile/adam...
American politics makes a lot more sense when you realize that the GOP is afraid of pissing off the GOP base, and the Dems are afraid of pissing off the GOP base, but neither party is afraid of pissing off the Dem base.
November 10, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Unfortunately still true bsky.app/profile/adam...
Reposted by Sam Bagenstos
Sunday: Trump applauds the resignation of Beeb execs bc Panorama truthfully said that Trump encouraged rioters.
Monday: Trump pardons over 50 of his co-conspirators and enablers in attempting to steal the 2020 election.
Monday: Trump pardons over 50 of his co-conspirators and enablers in attempting to steal the 2020 election.
November 10, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Sunday: Trump applauds the resignation of Beeb execs bc Panorama truthfully said that Trump encouraged rioters.
Monday: Trump pardons over 50 of his co-conspirators and enablers in attempting to steal the 2020 election.
Monday: Trump pardons over 50 of his co-conspirators and enablers in attempting to steal the 2020 election.
Reposted by Sam Bagenstos
This is exactly right. Every word. The idea that BBC "doctored' Trump's speech to "make it look like" Trump encouraged the Jan 6 attack is preposterous. Trump was IMPEACHED for encouraging the attack.
This is part of a strategic effort to move BBC even further to the right.
This is part of a strategic effort to move BBC even further to the right.
The departure of Tim Davie and Deborah Turness means the BBC is leaderless when it needs leadership more than ever. Where are the people at the head of the BBC standing up for it?
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The BBC is facing a coordinated, politically motivated attack. With these resignations, it has given in | Jane Martinson
The corporation should have stood up to the Telegraph, Trump and the Tories. Now, its enemies know how little it takes for it to fold, says Jane Martinson, professor of financial journalism
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:11 PM
This is exactly right. Every word. The idea that BBC "doctored' Trump's speech to "make it look like" Trump encouraged the Jan 6 attack is preposterous. Trump was IMPEACHED for encouraging the attack.
This is part of a strategic effort to move BBC even further to the right.
This is part of a strategic effort to move BBC even further to the right.
Wherein @samvecenie.bsky.social tempts me to buy a paid subscription.
open.substack.com/pub/gametheo...
open.substack.com/pub/gametheo...
North Carolina's Caleb Wilson flashes top-five potential, two-way upside vs. Kansas
North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson was seen as one of the big swing players entering this 2026 NBA Draft class, and boy has he already delivered in a big way.
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Wherein @samvecenie.bsky.social tempts me to buy a paid subscription.
open.substack.com/pub/gametheo...
open.substack.com/pub/gametheo...
“These are people who, presented with the fate of Tim Cratchit, would no doubt haul the Ghost of Christmas Present off to a detention center for obstruction.”
open.substack.com/pub/goodpoli...
open.substack.com/pub/goodpoli...
Open Wide
Senate Democrats agree to shut down the shutdown.
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:11 PM
“These are people who, presented with the fate of Tim Cratchit, would no doubt haul the Ghost of Christmas Present off to a detention center for obstruction.”
open.substack.com/pub/goodpoli...
open.substack.com/pub/goodpoli...
Yep. My feelings exactly.
Still upset about no power of the purse language. You truly do hate to see it. The Trump admin undertook the most expansive set of illegal budgetary actions of any president in history, and broadcast as loudly as possible they’d keep doing it, and nothing. Budgetary lawlessness.
November 10, 2025 at 2:08 AM
Yep. My feelings exactly.
Reposted by Sam Bagenstos
Americans can’t afford this deal.
Democrats can fight AND win — just like we did in our budget battle in Michigan.
A promise isn’t a deal. Don’t settle.
Democrats can fight AND win — just like we did in our budget battle in Michigan.
A promise isn’t a deal. Don’t settle.
November 9, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Americans can’t afford this deal.
Democrats can fight AND win — just like we did in our budget battle in Michigan.
A promise isn’t a deal. Don’t settle.
Democrats can fight AND win — just like we did in our budget battle in Michigan.
A promise isn’t a deal. Don’t settle.
Thread.
Following up on this. This remains a ‘cave is minutes or hours away’ situation. If you want to impact how this plays out you need to contact senators literally now. I want to add additional points of context. What I’m relaying is what I’ve picked up from highly reliable sources.
Sounds like the squishes in the senate caucus are ready to pull the plug with no ACA changes. This is real. If you want to register your opinion you shld call yr senator in the next hour. They not only want to reopen w/nothing. They want cover from their colleagues who still want to hold out.
November 9, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Thread.
Reposted by Sam Bagenstos
Instead of a drinking game, what if for every time you contact your government representative to not settle on the government shutdown you donate $5 to your local food bank (assuming you aren't poor).
November 9, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Instead of a drinking game, what if for every time you contact your government representative to not settle on the government shutdown you donate $5 to your local food bank (assuming you aren't poor).
Reposted by Sam Bagenstos
Until we confront this we cannot hope to build a healthy democracy.
November 9, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Until we confront this we cannot hope to build a healthy democracy.
Reposted by Sam Bagenstos
UPDATE: Donald Trump is so hellbent on denying people SNAP that he went all the way to the Supreme Court to block benefits.
Now Trump is trying to bully states into TAKING BACK payments they already made to families.
It’s chaos for the sake of cruelty.
Now Trump is trying to bully states into TAKING BACK payments they already made to families.
It’s chaos for the sake of cruelty.
November 9, 2025 at 6:11 PM
UPDATE: Donald Trump is so hellbent on denying people SNAP that he went all the way to the Supreme Court to block benefits.
Now Trump is trying to bully states into TAKING BACK payments they already made to families.
It’s chaos for the sake of cruelty.
Now Trump is trying to bully states into TAKING BACK payments they already made to families.
It’s chaos for the sake of cruelty.
Reposted by Sam Bagenstos
As my colleague Helen Levy says in the piece, “We know health insurance saves lives. Full stop.”
wapo.st/3Lt788E
wapo.st/3Lt788E
Is health insurance a matter of life and death? Scientists may have an answer.
The surprisingly tricky question stumped researchers for decades. But they think they finally have an answer.
wapo.st
November 9, 2025 at 4:33 PM
As my colleague Helen Levy says in the piece, “We know health insurance saves lives. Full stop.”
wapo.st/3Lt788E
wapo.st/3Lt788E
The Trump Administration keeps trying to starve people, just as leverage in the shutdown negotiations. Now escalating by threatening states that are trying to keep their people fed.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/09/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/09/b...
Trump Administration Demands States ‘Undo’ Work to Send Full Food Stamps
www.nytimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 4:22 PM
The Trump Administration keeps trying to starve people, just as leverage in the shutdown negotiations. Now escalating by threatening states that are trying to keep their people fed.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/09/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/09/b...
The inspiration we all need, as always from @rebeccasolnit.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
A year on from Trump’s victory, resistance is everywhere | Rebecca Solnit
Americans have shown a tremendous amount and variety of opposition – more than some may realize
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 1:10 PM
The inspiration we all need, as always from @rebeccasolnit.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Sam Bagenstos
Argentina President Javier Milei doing the “Trump dance” at Mar-a-Lago after getting an $40 billion bailout.
Meanwhile, Trump won’t renew subsides for American healthcare.
Meanwhile, Trump won’t renew subsides for American healthcare.
November 8, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Argentina President Javier Milei doing the “Trump dance” at Mar-a-Lago after getting an $40 billion bailout.
Meanwhile, Trump won’t renew subsides for American healthcare.
Meanwhile, Trump won’t renew subsides for American healthcare.
Reposted by Sam Bagenstos
They’re bailing out Argentina because they’re all going to be living there when this is over.
Argentina President Javier Milei doing the “Trump dance” at Mar-a-Lago after getting an $40 billion bailout.
Meanwhile, Trump won’t renew subsides for American healthcare.
Meanwhile, Trump won’t renew subsides for American healthcare.
November 8, 2025 at 7:44 PM
They’re bailing out Argentina because they’re all going to be living there when this is over.
Man do I feel this thread.
Obviously this is ridiculous as a policy for employees but also as a customer my blanket preference from any people working in any store anywhere ever is “leave me the absolute fuck alone”
Smiling?? Eye contact?? TALKING TO ME???? Absolutely not!!!!
Smiling?? Eye contact?? TALKING TO ME???? Absolutely not!!!!
"Store employees are now required to smile if they are within 10 feet of a shopper.
They also must make eye contact with and wave to or greet the customer.
If they’re within four feet, the employee should ask how the customer’s day is going or if they need help."
🙄 Won't stop the boycott, y'all.
They also must make eye contact with and wave to or greet the customer.
If they’re within four feet, the employee should ask how the customer’s day is going or if they need help."
🙄 Won't stop the boycott, y'all.
November 8, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Man do I feel this thread.
Reposted by Sam Bagenstos
For those keeping count, this makes two House seats that the GOP has delayed Democrats from being sworn in to or elected.
You're pissed off about Johnson refusing to swear in Grijalva, but Texas Dem Sylvester Turner died in March and Greg Abbott delayed the election to replace him until yesterday - and because no one won a majority, he'll probably hold the runoff in January. Ten months!
www.nbcnews.com/politics/ele...
www.nbcnews.com/politics/ele...
Two Democrats advance to a special election runoff for a deep-blue Texas House seat
Christian Menefee, the county attorney of Harris County, and attorney Amanda Edwards advanced to the runoff, NBC News projects.
www.nbcnews.com
November 8, 2025 at 2:30 AM
For those keeping count, this makes two House seats that the GOP has delayed Democrats from being sworn in to or elected.
That Caleb Wilson looks to be a really special player.
TAR!
November 8, 2025 at 2:07 AM
That Caleb Wilson looks to be a really special player.