Winston Wells
@wwells.bsky.social
Findley Family Professor of International Affairs, Illinois College. Comparative Politics, IR, and African Studies. UCLA PhD. All opinions mine and mine alone.
Reposted by Winston Wells
Pam Bondi Thought That Went Pretty Well
February 12, 2026 at 6:56 PM
Pam Bondi Thought That Went Pretty Well
Reposted by Winston Wells
Get in losers we’re doing central planning without the planning
Trump to direct Pentagon to buy coal to revive industry, Bloomberg News says reut.rs/46vkQiO
Trump to direct Pentagon to buy coal to revive industry, Bloomberg News says
U.S. President Donald Trump is set to direct the Pentagon to use government funding and Pentagon contracts to sustain U.S. coal-fired power plants, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday, citing a White House official.
reut.rs
February 11, 2026 at 3:59 AM
Get in losers we’re doing central planning without the planning
Reposted by Winston Wells
"Due process is not a courtesy extended at the government’s convenience. Due process is the condition that makes custody lawful in the first place... When liberty is restrained without a meaningful opportunity to be heard, the Constitution’s promise is not delayed. It is denied."
Another memorable ruling out of West Virginia, where Judge Goodwin — a Clinton appointee — excoriates the treatment of ICE detainees.
"This is not what civil enforcement looks like in a humane system of government under law."
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
"This is not what civil enforcement looks like in a humane system of government under law."
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
February 11, 2026 at 3:26 AM
"Due process is not a courtesy extended at the government’s convenience. Due process is the condition that makes custody lawful in the first place... When liberty is restrained without a meaningful opportunity to be heard, the Constitution’s promise is not delayed. It is denied."
Reposted by Winston Wells
Iowa farmers are hurting because of this chaotic tariff policy that Ashley Hinson continues to support. She continues prove that she’ll put corporate greed and party leadership above Iowans at every turn. Our farmers deserve better.
February 11, 2026 at 3:36 AM
Iowa farmers are hurting because of this chaotic tariff policy that Ashley Hinson continues to support. She continues prove that she’ll put corporate greed and party leadership above Iowans at every turn. Our farmers deserve better.
Reposted by Winston Wells
We have a federal administration led by idiots and criminals.
February 11, 2026 at 1:49 AM
We have a federal administration led by idiots and criminals.
Reposted by Winston Wells
Bitcoin hit a high of $126,000 last year. Then it dropped to $120K, $110K, $100K, $90K, $80K, $70K and is no hovering around $60K.
More than a trillion in notional "value" wiped out.
There is no Fed or Treasury ready to bail it out.
But Congress is close to blessing it...
More than a trillion in notional "value" wiped out.
There is no Fed or Treasury ready to bail it out.
But Congress is close to blessing it...
Bitcoin Break Below $80,000 Signals New Crisis of Confidence Bloomberg
finance.yahoo.com/news/bitcoin...
finance.yahoo.com/news/bitcoin...
Bitcoin Break Below $80,000 Signals New Crisis of Confidence
Bitcoin has failed to respond to geopolitical stress, dollar weakness, or risk rallies. Bitcoin fell nearly 11% in January, marking its fourth straight monthly decline — the longest losing streak sin...
finance.yahoo.com
February 6, 2026 at 12:37 AM
Bitcoin hit a high of $126,000 last year. Then it dropped to $120K, $110K, $100K, $90K, $80K, $70K and is no hovering around $60K.
More than a trillion in notional "value" wiped out.
There is no Fed or Treasury ready to bail it out.
But Congress is close to blessing it...
More than a trillion in notional "value" wiped out.
There is no Fed or Treasury ready to bail it out.
But Congress is close to blessing it...
Reposted by Winston Wells
A Nobel Peace Prize nomination for Minneapolis is really a recognition of people power and it’s the first time a whole city has been put forward for the prize.
February 4, 2026 at 4:14 AM
A Nobel Peace Prize nomination for Minneapolis is really a recognition of people power and it’s the first time a whole city has been put forward for the prize.
Reposted by Winston Wells
one thing the trump era has made clear, i think, is that the american people themselves are far more committed to the values of our founding documents than our elites
February 4, 2026 at 4:07 AM
one thing the trump era has made clear, i think, is that the american people themselves are far more committed to the values of our founding documents than our elites
Reposted by Winston Wells
Today, @duckworth.senate.gov and I met with the Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges and Universities to discuss the Trump Administration’s attacks on higher education. As this Admin creates new barriers to accessing education, We made it clear that we stand with students and educators.
February 3, 2026 at 11:39 PM
Today, @duckworth.senate.gov and I met with the Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges and Universities to discuss the Trump Administration’s attacks on higher education. As this Admin creates new barriers to accessing education, We made it clear that we stand with students and educators.
Reposted by Winston Wells
"If we have to hunt you down, the way they hunted down Nazis for decades, we will find your identities. We will find you. We will achieve justice. And we will do so under the Constitution and laws of the United States."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ft1...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ft1...
Philly DA vows to prosecute ‘wannabe Nazi' ICE agents who violate the law
YouTube video by NBC10 Philadelphia
www.youtube.com
January 29, 2026 at 3:50 AM
"If we have to hunt you down, the way they hunted down Nazis for decades, we will find your identities. We will find you. We will achieve justice. And we will do so under the Constitution and laws of the United States."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ft1...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ft1...
Reposted by Winston Wells
ICE has violated judicial orders 96 times in Minnesota alone: www.nytimes.com/2026/01/28/u...
Judge in Minnesota Says ICE Has Violated Nearly 100 Court Orders
www.nytimes.com
January 28, 2026 at 11:49 PM
ICE has violated judicial orders 96 times in Minnesota alone: www.nytimes.com/2026/01/28/u...
Reposted by Winston Wells
In the wake of the U.S. withdrawal from WHO, California is the first state to participate in the agency's disease monitoring network. Are others following? n.pr/4a1T7qW
As the U.S. bids adieu to the World Health Organization, California says hello
In the wake of the U.S. withdrawal from WHO, California is the first state to participate in the agency's disease monitoring network. Are others following?
n.pr
January 28, 2026 at 11:54 AM
In the wake of the U.S. withdrawal from WHO, California is the first state to participate in the agency's disease monitoring network. Are others following? n.pr/4a1T7qW
Reposted by Winston Wells
Did Bovino have a speck of decency to apologize, at least just for what he said about Pretti? No.
Did JD Vance? No.
Did Stephen Miller? No.
Did Kristi Noem? No.
They simply lack basic human decency and have no business being in senior positions of the US government.
Did JD Vance? No.
Did Stephen Miller? No.
Did Kristi Noem? No.
They simply lack basic human decency and have no business being in senior positions of the US government.
January 27, 2026 at 12:05 AM
Did Bovino have a speck of decency to apologize, at least just for what he said about Pretti? No.
Did JD Vance? No.
Did Stephen Miller? No.
Did Kristi Noem? No.
They simply lack basic human decency and have no business being in senior positions of the US government.
Did JD Vance? No.
Did Stephen Miller? No.
Did Kristi Noem? No.
They simply lack basic human decency and have no business being in senior positions of the US government.
Reposted by Winston Wells
The American Federation of Government Employees, which represents border patrol officers at the National Border Patrol Council, calls on Kristi Noem and Stephen Miller to resign or be fired
January 27, 2026 at 2:07 AM
The American Federation of Government Employees, which represents border patrol officers at the National Border Patrol Council, calls on Kristi Noem and Stephen Miller to resign or be fired
Reposted by Winston Wells
They are wounded and flailing. Press the advantage.
January 27, 2026 at 12:08 AM
They are wounded and flailing. Press the advantage.
Reposted by Winston Wells
Good morning with good news: EU reached the historic milestone of 30% wind and solar for all of 2025! That is up from 12.66% in 2015 & 19% in 2021.
Solar generated 13.2% & wind 16.9% in 2025.
China was over 20% W&S in 10 of 12 months and ~22% in 2025.
US was near 19% W&S in 2025.
#energysky
Solar generated 13.2% & wind 16.9% in 2025.
China was over 20% W&S in 10 of 12 months and ~22% in 2025.
US was near 19% W&S in 2025.
#energysky
January 26, 2026 at 12:21 PM
Good morning with good news: EU reached the historic milestone of 30% wind and solar for all of 2025! That is up from 12.66% in 2015 & 19% in 2021.
Solar generated 13.2% & wind 16.9% in 2025.
China was over 20% W&S in 10 of 12 months and ~22% in 2025.
US was near 19% W&S in 2025.
#energysky
Solar generated 13.2% & wind 16.9% in 2025.
China was over 20% W&S in 10 of 12 months and ~22% in 2025.
US was near 19% W&S in 2025.
#energysky
It's good to see elements of civil society finally moving in the right direction.
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 9:43 PM
It's good to see elements of civil society finally moving in the right direction.
Reposted by Winston Wells
If you are running for president you should make clear you’re gonna send Greg Bovino to prison
January 25, 2026 at 2:58 PM
If you are running for president you should make clear you’re gonna send Greg Bovino to prison
Reposted by Winston Wells
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara: "People have had enough. This is the third shooting in less than 3 weeks. The MPD went the entire year last year recovering about 900 guns from the street, arresting hundreds of violent offenders, and we didn't shoot anyone ... this is not sustainable."
January 25, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara: "People have had enough. This is the third shooting in less than 3 weeks. The MPD went the entire year last year recovering about 900 guns from the street, arresting hundreds of violent offenders, and we didn't shoot anyone ... this is not sustainable."
Reposted by Winston Wells
The global rule of law is not collapsing – Trump is the lone problem and he can be defeated | Simon Tisdall
The global rule of law is not collapsing – Trump is the lone problem and he can be defeated | Simon Tisdall
The president’s approval ratings are plummeting and most Americans see him as an aberration. It is now up to them to curtail his despotic reign, says Guardian foreign affairs commentator Simon Tisdall
www.theguardian.com
January 25, 2026 at 3:06 PM
The global rule of law is not collapsing – Trump is the lone problem and he can be defeated | Simon Tisdall
Dana Bash @cnn.com just gave a master class in holding murderous federal officials accountable during her grilling of Greg Bovino.
Build the case. Immunity and impunity won't stand the test of time. Eventually the rule of law will prevail.
Build the case. Immunity and impunity won't stand the test of time. Eventually the rule of law will prevail.
BASH: Footage shows him holding a cell phone, not a gun. Did he at any point pull out his weapon?
BOVINO: We do know that the suspect did bring a weapon, a loaded 9mm high capacity handgun, to a riot.
(That's a no!)
BOVINO: We do know that the suspect did bring a weapon, a loaded 9mm high capacity handgun, to a riot.
(That's a no!)
January 25, 2026 at 2:36 PM
Dana Bash @cnn.com just gave a master class in holding murderous federal officials accountable during her grilling of Greg Bovino.
Build the case. Immunity and impunity won't stand the test of time. Eventually the rule of law will prevail.
Build the case. Immunity and impunity won't stand the test of time. Eventually the rule of law will prevail.
Reposted by Winston Wells
ICE is now responsible for 66% of the homicides in Minneapolis this year.
January 24, 2026 at 4:51 PM
ICE is now responsible for 66% of the homicides in Minneapolis this year.
Reposted by Winston Wells
"John Mitnick, who once was the head attorney at the Department of Homeland Security in the first Trump administration, criticized his former agency on Saturday night. 'I am enraged and embarrassed by DHS’s lawlessness, fascism, and cruelty,' he wrote" www.nytimes.com/live/2026/us...
Update from Hamed Aleaziz
www.nytimes.com
January 25, 2026 at 2:20 AM
"John Mitnick, who once was the head attorney at the Department of Homeland Security in the first Trump administration, criticized his former agency on Saturday night. 'I am enraged and embarrassed by DHS’s lawlessness, fascism, and cruelty,' he wrote" www.nytimes.com/live/2026/us...
Every comparativist, nodding vigorously.
Judging from Brazil’s experience under the military regime, I’d say the opposition party needs to actively help mobilize civil society. A demobilized society won’t defeat the regime electorally, and mobilization needs help from organized opposition parties.
January 25, 2026 at 12:09 AM
Every comparativist, nodding vigorously.
Reposted by Winston Wells
Nice essay on Trump’s notion of what a “deal” really is: a series of “pledges, frameworks .. shakedowns, memoranda of understanding, or otherwise opaque, informal, or incomplete arrangements” that allow him “to claim a quick victory and move on to the next thing.”
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Trump’s Art of the Not-Quite-Deal
The president has offered frameworks, pledges, handshakes and threats — a style that carries growing legal, economic and diplomatic risks.
www.bloomberg.com
January 24, 2026 at 1:32 PM
Nice essay on Trump’s notion of what a “deal” really is: a series of “pledges, frameworks .. shakedowns, memoranda of understanding, or otherwise opaque, informal, or incomplete arrangements” that allow him “to claim a quick victory and move on to the next thing.”
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...