UMN Political Science
umnpolisci.bsky.social
UMN Political Science
@umnpolisci.bsky.social
Official account of the Department of Political Science at the University of Minnesota.
cla.umn.edu/polisci
Professors Kathryn Pearson @kpminnesota.bsky.social and Paul Goren unpack the partisan battle, public frustration, and what's at stake for Minnesotans during the government shutdown with @mndaily.bsky.social
mndaily.com/296150/podca...
When Washington stops, we all feel it
LUCAS VASQUEZ: Hello and welcome to another episode of In The Know, a podcast dedicated to the University of Minnesota. I’m your new host from the Minnesota Daily, Lucas Vasquez. ...
mndaily.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Professor Mark Bell @marksbell.bsky.social discusses the confusion caused by Trump's recent statement on nuclear testing and what shift it could signal in policy in @startribune.com article.

www.startribune.com/trump-admini...
Rash: Trump’s ‘alarming’ and ‘incoherent’ stand on nuclear testing
Last week, Trump took to Truth Social to call for the resumption of nuclear weapon detonation tests, which the U.S. hasn’t conducted since 1992, John Rash writes.
www.startribune.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Professor Ron Krebs discusses what's at stake surrounding Trump's deployment of National Guard troops with @mprnews.org

www.mprnews.org/episode/2025...
The legal and political questions surrounding Trump's deployment of National Guard troops
MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks about the legal and political implications of President Donald Trump’s mobilization of the National Guard in a few U.S. cities in recent months.
www.mprnews.org
November 5, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Professor Dan Myers joins @kare11.bsky.social to make sense of all the talk about the political candidates on today's Twin Cities ballots.
www.kare11.com/article/news...
Political scientist breaks down the rhetoric of mayoral races in Minneapolis, St. Paul
If you are voting in the Twin Cities this November, here is what to look out for in the mayoral races.
www.kare11.com
November 4, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Political biases are gradually eroding the military's remarkably nonpartisan political stance, says Professor Ron Krebs in @mndaily.bsky.social opinion.

mndaily.com/296016/opini...
Opinion: Revisionist history has no place in the military
The United States military holds a unique place in our society, and it has since its creation. It is not only an organization that is designed to serve and defend...
mndaily.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:49 PM
"Free speech is incredibly easy to weaponize," says Professor Paul Goren in @mndaily.bsky.social opinion. "It's done by both sides of the political spectrum."
mndaily.com/295974/opini...
Opinion: Republicans discriminate against free speech
In response to the horrific assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Vice President JD Vance guest-hosted Kirk’s podcast and urged listeners to “call out” anyone making celebratory remarks...
mndaily.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Professor Dan Myers explains what the Democratic Socialists of America is and its role in this political moment on @mprnews.org.
www.mprnews.org/episode/2025...
What is the DSA, or Democratic Socialists of America?
Minneapolis voters next week will see multiple candidates on their ballots who are endorsed by the DSA. The political group’s profile has climbed over the last ten years nationally and in parts of Min...
www.mprnews.org
October 30, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Professor Paul Goren discusses the double standard of who deserves government support, often applied to minorities, in @mndaily.bsky.social opinion.

mndaily.com/295908/opini...
Opinion: We depend on the government more than we think
We do not fully appreciate the impact the federal government has on our daily lives. As the government shutdown continues, we are beginning to feel the effects of not having...
mndaily.com
October 29, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Professor Kathryn Pearson @kpminnesota.bsky.social joined @mprnews.org to discuss the current government shutdown, its causes & impact, and what's next.
www.mprnews.org/episode/2025...
Understanding the 2025 government shutdown: Causes, impact and what's next
Coming up at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with a political scientist about the federal government shutdown — how we got here, how the shutdown is affecting people and...
www.mprnews.org
October 28, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Professor Kathleen Collins writes about the three decades of failed U.S. "resets" with Russia in @pioneerpress.bsky.social opinion piece.
www.twincities.com/2025/10/26/c...
Collins, Kutelia: Get Russia right. End the ‘resets’ and win the peace
“Only by getting Russia right can Trump end the bloodshed in Ukraine. That means recognizing who Putin is, adopting a policy of peace through strength, and consistently enforcing it.”
www.twincities.com
October 27, 2025 at 2:01 PM
"We are in an era of nationalized politics where no one is holding back from attacking the other party, even if it means attacking someone who also represents the constituents in the same state as you do," @kpminnesota.bsky.social said to @mprnews.org
www.mprnews.org/story/2025/1...
Tim Walz and Tom Emmer can’t stop maligning the other. Is Minnesota worse off for it?
Minnesota’s top Democrat and top Republican take frequent rhetorical jabs at one another although they’re not running against one another. The spat could have negative consequences for the people they...
www.mprnews.org
October 17, 2025 at 3:01 PM
We will host our second Politics in Practice event, hosting our alumnus and former member of the MN House Drew Christensen, on October 30. Learn about Drew's time in the MN House, his current endeavors, and how you can use political science to pursue change & lead.
z.umn.edu/PiPDrewChris...
Politics in Practice: Drew Christensen
Learn about Drew's time in the Minnesota House, his current endeavors, and how you can use political science to pursue change & lead.
z.umn.edu
October 16, 2025 at 3:06 PM
"Not only the norms, but the separation of powers and checks and balances; it's gotten out of whack," says Professor Tim Johnson @trjumn.bsky.social in @startribune.com article on the importance of constitutional guardrails.
www.startribune.com/checks-balan...
Brown: When constitutional guardrails fail, we all lose
"This current moment might be unprecedented, but we can make it survivable for all — no matter our political views," Aaron Brown writes.
www.startribune.com
October 15, 2025 at 2:59 PM
"Domestic rights advocates very rarely get the boost from the Nobel Peace Prize that they hope for or expect," says Professor Ron Krebs in @nytimes.com article.

www.nytimes.com/live/2025/10...
The Nobel Peace Prize draws attention, but rarely drives long-term change.
www.nytimes.com
October 14, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Professor Tim Johnson @trjumn.bsky.social discusses the constitutional and legal guidelines the military is dedicated to following and how that conflicts with deploying federal troops in American cities in @startribune.com article: www.startribune.com/trump-admini...
Rash: The signals sent from the latest Signal chat leak
"The overeager deployment of our military forces within the U.S. is a mistake," John Rash writes.
www.startribune.com
October 9, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Prof Ron Krebs says Hegseth "suggested that the admirals and generals located in front of him represented the finest that America has to offer. Simultaneously, ... that the American military is fundamentally broken."

Read more in the @startribune.com article www.startribune.com/us-govt-shut...
Rash: Division is driving the government shutdown — and nearly everything else
"At midnight on Tuesday, the federal government shut down," John Rash writes. "But the national political shutdown came much earlier."
www.startribune.com
October 2, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Professor August Nimtz and Kyle Edwards join Jack McKivigan, the Director of the Frederick Douglass Papers, to explore how Karl Marx and Frederick Douglass understood and responded to the American Civil War as it unfolded.
youtu.be/Cd3tT_R0ZmU?...
Karl Marx and Frederick Douglass - The Communist & the Revolutionary Liberal | #DouglassWeek 2025
YouTube video by #DouglassWeek Team
youtu.be
September 30, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Professor Jane Sumner joins @mprnews.org to discuss how free speech is being viewed today and its intersection with societal pillars such as politics, academia, and business.

www.mprnews.org/episode/2025...
Politics Friday: Walz sounds off on new book, 3rd term bid and a rift with Republicans
Gov. Tim Walz is seeking a third term as Minnesota’s governor. MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst interviews Walz about his reelection campaign and challenges he’s confronting in the current term.
www.mprnews.org
September 26, 2025 at 6:55 PM
We will host our inaugural Politics in Practice event, hosting former MN Senator Patricia Torres Ray, on October 9. Learn about Patricia's time in the MN Senate, her current endeavors, and how you can use political science to pursue change & lead.

Learn more and RSVP: z.umn.edu/PiPPatriciaTorresRay
Politics in Practice: Patricia Torres Ray
Learn about Patricia's time in the Minnesota Senate, her current endeavors, and how you can use political science to pursue change & lead.
z.umn.edu
September 25, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Pedro Accorsi @pedroaccorsi.bsky.social (PhD '23) fondly recalls the outstanding committee he worked with, the collaborative culture among graduate students, and opportunities he was encouraged to pursue.

Read about Pedro's graduate school experience & current position: cla.umn.edu/polisci/news...
Looking Back with Gratitude
Pedro Accorsi (PhD '23) reflects on his graduate school experience, from research and teaching to his cohort and mentors.
cla.umn.edu
September 18, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Professor Jane Sumner connected with fair goers on their perception of small business owners at this year's Minnesota State Fair.

Learn more about her experience at the Fair and research project: cla.umn.edu/polisci/news...
Researching the Importance of Minnesota's Small Businesses at the State Fair
Professor Jane Sumner connected with Minnesota State Fair goers on their perception of small business owners.
cla.umn.edu
September 11, 2025 at 4:30 PM
How does the balance of power work when a U.S. President pushes for more? Professor Tim Johnson @trjumn.bsky.social discusses this question with BYU Radio.

www.byuradio.org/top-of-mind-...
Top of Mind with Julie Rose - BYUradio
Becoming better citizens, kinder neighbors and more effective advocates.
www.byuradio.org
September 5, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Through the Urban Scholars program, Leandro Idiarte was able to see government from the inside. He spent the summer learning how things work, decisions are made, and how much teamwork & communication matter.

Learn more about Leandro's internship experience: cla.umn.edu/polisci/news...
Leandro Idiarte: Urban Scholars Intern
Political science student Leandro Idiarte gained an inside look at how city government operates through his summer internship with the Urban Scholars program.
cla.umn.edu
August 27, 2025 at 3:17 PM
This summer, Kat Jensen was a TRIO McNair Scholar. Through the program, she researched democratic backsliding, gained knowledge on the graduate school system, and connected with McNair alumni.

Read more about Kat's summer research and McNair experience: cla.umn.edu/polisci/news...
Opportunity to Flourish in Academics and Research
This summer, Kat Jensen researched democratic backsliding, built community, and gained skills to prepare for graduate school through the TRIO McNair Scholars program.
cla.umn.edu
August 21, 2025 at 3:20 PM
What is it like to work on a re-election campaign?
This summer, political science student Charley Rathgeber worked as an Intern on the Campaign with Minneapolis's Mayor Jacob Frey. Learn more about her internship experience at cla.umn.edu/polisci/news...
Charley Rathgeber: Intern on the Mayor Frey Campaign
This summer, political science student Charley Rathgeber gained campaign experience with Minneapolis's Mayor Jacob Frey.
cla.umn.edu
August 18, 2025 at 3:03 PM