Michael Tesler
@tesler.bsky.social
Professor of Political Science | UC-Irvine
Reposted by Michael Tesler
Olympic highlight in this house.
February 18, 2026 at 5:36 PM
Olympic highlight in this house.
Reposted by Michael Tesler
BREAKING: The Department of Education has ended its directive that attempted to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in schools nationwide.
This is a victory for academic freedom and education equity.
This is a victory for academic freedom and education equity.
February 18, 2026 at 5:39 PM
BREAKING: The Department of Education has ended its directive that attempted to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in schools nationwide.
This is a victory for academic freedom and education equity.
This is a victory for academic freedom and education equity.
Reposted by Michael Tesler
My open letter to LeBron James after he said at the weekend that he had heard “nothing but great things” about Israel.
An Open Letter to LeBron James on Israel, Gaza, and ‘Nothing But Great Things’
The NBA star’s recent praise for Israel, as the genocide continues, was as bewildering as it was shameful. What happened to his support for social justice?
zeteo.com
February 16, 2026 at 2:07 PM
My open letter to LeBron James after he said at the weekend that he had heard “nothing but great things” about Israel.
Reposted by Michael Tesler
We've got the numbers: Last year we published (in partnership with the @brennancenter.org and @umd-cdce.bsky.social) survey results showing that some 21.3 million Americans could be disenfranchised by the SAVE Act, which the House''ll vote on tomorrow.
Time to send this thing back to its grave.
Time to send this thing back to its grave.
Millions of Americans Don’t Have Documents Proving Their Citizenship Readily Available
Requiring Americans to prove their citizenship to register to vote would exclude millions of citizens from the political process.
www.brennancenter.org
February 10, 2026 at 6:05 PM
We've got the numbers: Last year we published (in partnership with the @brennancenter.org and @umd-cdce.bsky.social) survey results showing that some 21.3 million Americans could be disenfranchised by the SAVE Act, which the House''ll vote on tomorrow.
Time to send this thing back to its grave.
Time to send this thing back to its grave.
Reposted by Michael Tesler
This, from @jamellebouie.net is exactly right. And I think so many folks have refused to see or admit what Trump is because admitting implicates them, or their families, so denial is easier.
February 8, 2026 at 5:33 PM
This, from @jamellebouie.net is exactly right. And I think so many folks have refused to see or admit what Trump is because admitting implicates them, or their families, so denial is easier.
Reposted by Michael Tesler
You can just say "yes, he is a racist" or "yes, obviously he is a racist" or "are you fucking kidding me, what kind of stupid question is that in 2026?"
MSNBC: Do you believe Donald Trump is a racist?
HAKEEM JEFFRIES: If the guy is not a racist, he's certainly doing the best job that he can trying to convince us otherwise
HAKEEM JEFFRIES: If the guy is not a racist, he's certainly doing the best job that he can trying to convince us otherwise
February 7, 2026 at 6:38 PM
You can just say "yes, he is a racist" or "yes, obviously he is a racist" or "are you fucking kidding me, what kind of stupid question is that in 2026?"
Reposted by Michael Tesler
Iowa closing the African American studies major during Black history month is diabolical.
This article is from 4 days ago, but it is now official. The minor will continue.
This article is from 4 days ago, but it is now official. The minor will continue.
Iowa universities reviewing low-enrollment majors, could close or merge programs
The University of Iowa is reviewing undergraduate majors with low enrollment – like African American studies and gender, women's, and sexuality studies – after the Board of Regents last year mandated ...
www.thegazette.com
February 5, 2026 at 9:07 PM
Iowa closing the African American studies major during Black history month is diabolical.
This article is from 4 days ago, but it is now official. The minor will continue.
This article is from 4 days ago, but it is now official. The minor will continue.
Reposted by Michael Tesler
Our @jerrybrewer.bsky.social with some well-directed heat at a hiring cycle that fell short in many ways, especially for Black coaches:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
The NFL hired zero Black head coaches. That tells you everything
With 10 head-coaching vacancies this offseason, the hiring cycle echoed decades past as owners defaulted to their superficial practices.
www.nytimes.com
February 2, 2026 at 4:32 PM
Our @jerrybrewer.bsky.social with some well-directed heat at a hiring cycle that fell short in many ways, especially for Black coaches:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
Reposted by Michael Tesler
I was invited to give a talk in the community last night on Trump's second-term foreign policy. I thought I'd share my slides and bullet points here too.
January 27, 2026 at 5:03 PM
I was invited to give a talk in the community last night on Trump's second-term foreign policy. I thought I'd share my slides and bullet points here too.
Reposted by Michael Tesler
Wild to for a jewish organization to be like "well if mamdani wasn't such a fucking rootless cosompolitan" bsky.app/profile/joel...
I think it's really bad that the group that claims to speak for Jews at Columbia University is so grossly xenophobic.
Also - Mamdani did grow up in NYC.
Also - Mamdani did grow up in NYC.
January 26, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Wild to for a jewish organization to be like "well if mamdani wasn't such a fucking rootless cosompolitan" bsky.app/profile/joel...
Reposted by Michael Tesler
to the extent that there is a “carrot” to trumpism it is the same carrot that slaveholders offered to lower class white men: “you can be an overseer”
January 26, 2026 at 2:43 PM
to the extent that there is a “carrot” to trumpism it is the same carrot that slaveholders offered to lower class white men: “you can be an overseer”
Reposted by Michael Tesler
The National Basketball Players Association has released a statement on the killings in Minneapolis:
“Following the news of yet another fatal shooting in Minneapolis, a city that has been on the forefront of fight against injustices, NBA players can no longer remain silent”
“Following the news of yet another fatal shooting in Minneapolis, a city that has been on the forefront of fight against injustices, NBA players can no longer remain silent”
January 25, 2026 at 9:25 PM
The National Basketball Players Association has released a statement on the killings in Minneapolis:
“Following the news of yet another fatal shooting in Minneapolis, a city that has been on the forefront of fight against injustices, NBA players can no longer remain silent”
“Following the news of yet another fatal shooting in Minneapolis, a city that has been on the forefront of fight against injustices, NBA players can no longer remain silent”
Reposted by Michael Tesler
Unrivaled co-founder and WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart held up an “Abolish ICE” sign during player intros ahead of Mist’s game this afternoon.
Photo via @unrivaledwbb.bsky.social
Photo via @unrivaledwbb.bsky.social
January 25, 2026 at 6:12 PM
Unrivaled co-founder and WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart held up an “Abolish ICE” sign during player intros ahead of Mist’s game this afternoon.
Photo via @unrivaledwbb.bsky.social
Photo via @unrivaledwbb.bsky.social
Reposted by Michael Tesler
The latest from YouGov (n ~ 3.4k). An outright majority say ICE's tactics are too forceful.
ICE approval: -19
Approval of protests against ICE: +8
"Abolish ICE:" +5
today.yougov.com/topics/overv...
ICE approval: -19
Approval of protests against ICE: +8
"Abolish ICE:" +5
today.yougov.com/topics/overv...
January 25, 2026 at 2:03 AM
The latest from YouGov (n ~ 3.4k). An outright majority say ICE's tactics are too forceful.
ICE approval: -19
Approval of protests against ICE: +8
"Abolish ICE:" +5
today.yougov.com/topics/overv...
ICE approval: -19
Approval of protests against ICE: +8
"Abolish ICE:" +5
today.yougov.com/topics/overv...
Reposted by Michael Tesler
Imagine how much they’d be lying about what happened without all the videos showing it from multiple angles.
January 24, 2026 at 10:24 PM
Imagine how much they’d be lying about what happened without all the videos showing it from multiple angles.
Reposted by Michael Tesler
Alex Jeffrey Pretti was an ICU nurse at a VA hospital. His life, through his profession, was dedicated to serving his community and our country.
As so many have now seen on video, his final act before he was killed by federal agents was doing everything in his power to protect his community.
As so many have now seen on video, his final act before he was killed by federal agents was doing everything in his power to protect his community.
January 24, 2026 at 11:18 PM
Alex Jeffrey Pretti was an ICU nurse at a VA hospital. His life, through his profession, was dedicated to serving his community and our country.
As so many have now seen on video, his final act before he was killed by federal agents was doing everything in his power to protect his community.
As so many have now seen on video, his final act before he was killed by federal agents was doing everything in his power to protect his community.
Reposted by Michael Tesler
Just staggered by the complete moral void of not even *pretending* to wait for more information before pivoting to “the opponent of the state deserved it.” It is so insanely depraved. Soulless.
January 24, 2026 at 7:34 PM
Just staggered by the complete moral void of not even *pretending* to wait for more information before pivoting to “the opponent of the state deserved it.” It is so insanely depraved. Soulless.
Reposted by Michael Tesler
On the year anniversary week of Trump in office for a second time, we seem to have literal death squads patrolling the streets of Democratic-run cities.
But sure it was all Trump Derangement Syndrome when some of us were warning about the impending fascism back in 2024. 🤷🏽♂️😡
But sure it was all Trump Derangement Syndrome when some of us were warning about the impending fascism back in 2024. 🤷🏽♂️😡
January 24, 2026 at 7:23 PM
On the year anniversary week of Trump in office for a second time, we seem to have literal death squads patrolling the streets of Democratic-run cities.
But sure it was all Trump Derangement Syndrome when some of us were warning about the impending fascism back in 2024. 🤷🏽♂️😡
But sure it was all Trump Derangement Syndrome when some of us were warning about the impending fascism back in 2024. 🤷🏽♂️😡
Reposted by Michael Tesler
The GOP is consistent. When they said state’s rights they meant “white supremacy“ and when they said “tyranny” they were mad about federal interference with white supremacy.
ICE is white supremacist, so they support it. They aren’t hypocritical on this.
ICE is white supremacist, so they support it. They aren’t hypocritical on this.
Pritzker: "The GOP is nowhere to be found. They're the ones that scream and yell about 'federal tyranny' about interference with states' rights. And now, their president is violating states' rights and attacking our states and Republicans are nowhere to be found to talk about it."
January 24, 2026 at 7:07 PM
The GOP is consistent. When they said state’s rights they meant “white supremacy“ and when they said “tyranny” they were mad about federal interference with white supremacy.
ICE is white supremacist, so they support it. They aren’t hypocritical on this.
ICE is white supremacist, so they support it. They aren’t hypocritical on this.
Reposted by Michael Tesler
I do not understand why the Democrat establishment is not calling for national mobilization. Everything the government is doing is unpopular (poll-tested), Americans want to fight for their rights, and for their neighbors, and for NATO, all of it. Democrat leaders are failing and I don't understand
January 24, 2026 at 5:14 PM
I do not understand why the Democrat establishment is not calling for national mobilization. Everything the government is doing is unpopular (poll-tested), Americans want to fight for their rights, and for their neighbors, and for NATO, all of it. Democrat leaders are failing and I don't understand
Reposted by Michael Tesler
Abolish/defund ICE to fund health care might be a good electoral and policy position. But that is currently the stance of only a few elected Dems. The mainstream stance is saying ICE under Trump is bad and offering vague reform ideas while allowing bills to pass that keep ICE operating as is.
AOC is one of the few Dem electeds that has been explaining that cost-of-living issues are a result of kleptocracy.
Even David Shor has found her message of "Trump is stealing your healthcare money to fund ICE so Democrats must abolish ICE to claw back ACA money" is the most popular among voters
Even David Shor has found her message of "Trump is stealing your healthcare money to fund ICE so Democrats must abolish ICE to claw back ACA money" is the most popular among voters
Perhaps this latest shooting changes things. But the Dem establishment is fixated on this separation of economic vs not purely economic. If Trump somehow could unilaterally raise gas, grocery or health insurance prices, they would mobilize. But otherwise, they want to redirect to those issues.
January 24, 2026 at 6:22 PM
Abolish/defund ICE to fund health care might be a good electoral and policy position. But that is currently the stance of only a few elected Dems. The mainstream stance is saying ICE under Trump is bad and offering vague reform ideas while allowing bills to pass that keep ICE operating as is.
Reposted by Michael Tesler
Meanwhile in Minneapolis...
...some very cold, very determined NYC rabbis experiencing Minnesota winter for the first time. Cold can't stop us from answering the call to support Minneapolitans demand ICE OUT OF MINNEAPOLIS!
...some very cold, very determined NYC rabbis experiencing Minnesota winter for the first time. Cold can't stop us from answering the call to support Minneapolitans demand ICE OUT OF MINNEAPOLIS!
January 23, 2026 at 9:52 PM
Meanwhile in Minneapolis...
...some very cold, very determined NYC rabbis experiencing Minnesota winter for the first time. Cold can't stop us from answering the call to support Minneapolitans demand ICE OUT OF MINNEAPOLIS!
...some very cold, very determined NYC rabbis experiencing Minnesota winter for the first time. Cold can't stop us from answering the call to support Minneapolitans demand ICE OUT OF MINNEAPOLIS!
Reposted by Michael Tesler
News cycles move fast, but it’s sometimes worth slowing down to reckon with what this government is doing. In service of its racial project, it is willing to beat, kill, and subordinate anyone it deems a threat. This is a violent white nationalist project.
January 23, 2026 at 7:42 PM
News cycles move fast, but it’s sometimes worth slowing down to reckon with what this government is doing. In service of its racial project, it is willing to beat, kill, and subordinate anyone it deems a threat. This is a violent white nationalist project.
Reposted by Michael Tesler
So all colleges and universities will bring back the DEI stuff they cut when obeying in advance right...............................................................................................................................................right?
Re the February Dear Colleagues letter that threatened funding for schools & universities over DEI-related efforts:
‘[Ed Dept]…moved to dismiss its appeal. It leaves in place a federal judge’s August decision finding that the anti-DEI effort violated the First Amendment & federal procedural rules.’
‘[Ed Dept]…moved to dismiss its appeal. It leaves in place a federal judge’s August decision finding that the anti-DEI effort violated the First Amendment & federal procedural rules.’
Trump administration drops legal appeal over anti-DEI funding threat to schools and colleges
The Trump administration is dropping its appeal of a federal court ruling that blocked a campaign against diversity, equity, and inclusion threatening federal funding to the nation’s schools and colle...
apnews.com
January 21, 2026 at 7:42 PM
So all colleges and universities will bring back the DEI stuff they cut when obeying in advance right...............................................................................................................................................right?