Robert Richards
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rrichard09.bsky.social
Robert Richards
@rrichard09.bsky.social
3.1K followers 8.6K following 560 posts

I study how people talk about politics and law and participate in governing their communities. Opinions expressed here are mine alone, not those of my employers or institutions.
https://rcrjr.wordpress.com

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Political science 19%
Environmental science 17%
Posts Replies Media Videos

Reposted by Robert C. Richards

markey.senate.gov
Senator Ed Markey @markey.senate.gov · 9h
I'm grateful a judge has terminated removal proceedings against Rümeysa Öztürk. But let’s be clear: she never should have faced removal in the first place.

Rümeysa is an example to us all of what it means to speak truth to power. Her courage and grace are inspiring.

Reposted by Robert C. Richards

reichlinmelnick.bsky.social
Aaron Reichlin-Melnick @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social · 11h
This likely happened because a federal judge found that the termination of her student status was illegal and ordered it reinstated.
On December 5, 2025 a federal judge in Massachusetts ruled that Ms. Öztürk’s Student and Exchange Visitor Information System record was wrongfully terminated and must be reinstated, allowing her to fully participate in her educational and training program once more. While the government filed a notice of appeal of this decision on February 6, 2026, her SEVIS record remains reinstated. On January 22, 2026, another federal judge in Massachusetts determined in AAUP v. Rubio that the government’s policy of arresting and detaining scholars like Ms. Öztürk violated the First Amendment, and documents released as part of the case confirmed that the government targeted her solely on the basis of the op-ed.

Reposted by Robert C. Richards, Scott A. Imberman

ilyasomin.bsky.social
Ilya Somin @ilyasomin.bsky.social · 12h
Tomorrow I will testify before subcommittee of House Judiciary Committee against the proposed "Preserving a Sharia-Free America Act," which would authorize exclusion/deportation of all or most non-citizen Muslim immigrants. My written testimony posted here: reason.com/wp-content/u...
reason.com

Reposted by Brendan Nyhan, Joshua S. Weitz, Robert C. Richards , and 4 more

apoorvanyt.bsky.social
Apoorva Mandavilli @apoorvanyt.bsky.social · 13h
The Trump administration plans to rescind $600 million in public health funds from four states led by Democrats because it finds the grants “inconsistent with agency priorities,” according to documents reviewed by the NYT

Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2026/02/09/h...
Trump Administration to Cut $600 Million in Health Funding From Four States
www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Robert C. Richards

debpearlstein.bsky.social
Deborah Pearlstein @debpearlstein.bsky.social · 15h
NGO files disciplinary complaint w/Virginia State Bar alleging federal prosecutor who obtained warrant to search Wash Post reporter's home violated duty of candor in failing to notify court of applicability of the Privacy Protection Act (limiting searches of journalists' work product).
Bar Complaint Filed Over Search of Washington Post Reporter’s Home
www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Nandita Sharma, Matthew Bunn, Steve Peers , and 17 more

reichlinmelnick.bsky.social
Aaron Reichlin-Melnick @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social · 18h
ICE has now spent over half a BILLION dollars just on purchasing warehouses around the country to convert into detention camps.

If these mega-camps are utilized to the full capacity ICE intends, they'll be the largest prisons in the country, with little real oversight. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ICE to begin detaining immigrants inside Social Circle warehouse in April
Homeland Security plans to build warehouse detention facilities in other cities being met with opposition.
www.ajc.com

Reposted by Anna O. Law, Robert C. Richards

laywilliams.bsky.social
David Lay Williams @laywilliams.bsky.social · 20h
Check out Anna’s new book!
unlawfulentries.bsky.social Anna O. Law @unlawfulentries.bsky.social · 21h
I don't have a publicist, therefore I am the publicist. New website for my forthcoming book. Please especially check out the Author Q&A at the end of the page (Why did i write the book? Who's it for?. Journos, pod-casters, museums can find my contact info & how to obtain a bound review copy. 1/
Book - Migration and the Origins of American Citizenship — Anna O. Law
www.annaolaw.com

Reposted by Reece Jones, David Fitzgerald, Richard Price , and 7 more

unlawfulentries.bsky.social
Anna O. Law @unlawfulentries.bsky.social · 21h
I don't have a publicist, therefore I am the publicist. New website for my forthcoming book. Please especially check out the Author Q&A at the end of the page (Why did i write the book? Who's it for?. Journos, pod-casters, museums can find my contact info & how to obtain a bound review copy. 1/
Book - Migration and the Origins of American Citizenship — Anna O. Law
www.annaolaw.com

Reposted by Robert C. Richards, Laurent Dubois, Alan Richardson , and 4 more

jmelendezbadillo.bsky.social
Jorell Meléndez-Badillo @jmelendezbadillo.bsky.social · 22h
Bad Bunny’s performance began in the plantation, featured broken electric poles, and ended by centering a hemispheric understanding of “América”—among many other things—and some Anglo journalists are like “his performance wasn’t political.”

This is why we need to be telling our stories.

Reposted by Robert C. Richards, Nathan P. Kalmoe

trevondlogan.bsky.social
Trevon Logan @trevondlogan.bsky.social · 22h
Did You Know: More than 90% of hotels in the United States refused to take reservations from Black guests? The Green Book Project tells the story Black travel during Jim Crow. Share your story and contribute to the Community Map: greenbookproject.osu.edu
#GreenBookProject #CommunityMap #EconSky

Reposted by Joe R. Feagin, Robert C. Richards, Kevin Grant , and 1 more

atrupar.com
Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 22h
REP. STEIL: Some Dems demands put at risk the safety of members of law enforcement

CNBC: You mean like taking off their masks and having a badge that shows who they are?

STEIL: Well, they're known to their supervisors

CNBC: No other law enforcement officials in the US are allowed to wear masks

Reposted by Anne Applebaum, Ben H. Ansell, David M. Farrell , and 6 more

joenoonan.bsky.social
Joe Noonan @joenoonan.bsky.social · 1d
Kerryman who is married, living and working legally in the United States for >20 years has been incarcerated by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) since September 2025.

Profoundly disturbing report by Karlin Lillington @klillington.bsky.social
www.irishtimes.com/world/us/202...
‘Absolute hell’: Irish man with valid US work permit held by Ice since September
Seamus Culleton has been in a detention facility in Texas for nearly five months despite having no criminal record
www.irishtimes.com

Reposted by Robert C. Richards, Laurent Dubois, Melinda Baldwin , and 1 more

chanda.blacksky.app
Chanda Prescod-Weinstein 🌌 @chanda.blacksky.app · 1d
You’ve seen the halftime show … now read my friend Petra’s new book from @dukepress.bsky.social about how Bad Bunny became the global voice of Puerto Rican resistance! 👏🏽👏🏽

www.dukeupress.edu/p-fkn-r
Me holding copy of the book

Reposted by Robert C. Richards

justinwolfers.bsky.social
Justin Wolfers @justinwolfers.bsky.social · 1d
If AI is a substitute, it’s the intern who never sleeps. If it’s a complement, it’s the intern who makes you look like a genius. Same software, wildly different workplace vibes. We're going to see each of these very different stories play out in different parts of the labor market.

Reposted by Robert C. Richards

billkristolbulwark.bsky.social
Bill Kristol @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social · 1d
Yes, Democrats could win the Senate. Ron Brownstein explains the obstacles, the opportunities, and the key variables to watch.

You don’t have to be a political junkie to love this conversation. But if you are a political junkie, I think it’s kind of a must watch.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=69fx...
Yes, Democrats Could Win the Senate in 2026 (w/ Ron Brownstein)
YouTube video by The Bulwark
www.youtube.com

Reposted by Robert C. Richards

lewisgoodall.com
Lewis Goodall @lewisgoodall.com · 1d
NEW: PM’s Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney resigns

“After careful reflection, I have decided to resign from the government. The decision to appoint Peter Mandelson was wrong. He has damaged our party, our country and trust in politics itself.”

Reposted by Robert C. Richards

kidadaewilliams.com
KEW @kidadaewilliams.com · 1d
BHM Profile: Susie King Taylor served her country and fought for people's freedom during the Civil War. Taylor worked as a nurse, teacher, and laundress for black troops. She later published her own memoir, documenting black military life. www.wjcl.com/article/blac...
Black History Month Profile: Susie King Taylor
Susie King Taylor was the first African American woman to openly serve with the U.S. Army.
www.wjcl.com

Reposted by Hilde Van den Bulck, Juan Cole, Robert C. Richards , and 10 more

eoinhiggins.bsky.social
Eoin Higgins @eoinhiggins.bsky.social · 2d
Concentration camps:

“For 280 days we haven’t eaten a single piece of fruit, banana, apple, orange, or anything fresh. We are all in one big room with no doors or windows. We can’t see any grass or trees. We are all constantly sick."
Exclusive: Detention Center Captives Are Throwing Lotion Bottles Wrapped With Notes to Organizers Outside Otay Mesa Facility ~ L.A. TACO
“For 280 days we haven’t eaten a single piece of fruit, banana, apple, orange, or anything fresh," an Otay Mesa captive communicated through handwritten note. "We are all in one big room with no doors...
lataco.com

Reposted by Robert C. Richards, Anne Norton

davidakaye.bsky.social
David Kaye @davidakaye.bsky.social · 2d
just a reminder that the united states is essentially operating a network of torture camps holding individuals in arbitrary detention, without access to appeal and rarely to counsel.

Reposted by Robert C. Richards

walterolson.bsky.social
Walter Olson @walterolson.bsky.social · 2d
The Pew Research Center has published a new survey of Americans' opinions on immigration enforcement. Four highlights:

* "61% say it is unacceptable for officers to wear face coverings that hide their identities while working." /1

Reposted by Robert C. Richards

walterolson.bsky.social
Walter Olson @walterolson.bsky.social · 2d
"After three years of tinkering, Isbell sowed his first fields with Koshihikari, quite likely the first planting outside Japan." Deft account of how one family brought sushi rice culture to Arkansas, with detours into water stewardship and migratory fowl habitat [T. Edward Nickens, Garden & Gun]
How One Arkansas Family Is Rewriting the Rules of Rice Farming
In flooded fields amid a waterfowler’s paradise, the Isbells are reimagining how to use the land—and gaining the attention of sake brewers worldwide
gardenandgun.com

Reposted by Robert C. Richards

rimaanabtawi.bsky.social
Rima I Anabtawi @rimaanabtawi.bsky.social · 2d
Two cases of tuberculosis detected at El Paso ICE facility
Eighteen cases of COVID-19 were also identified.

U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar on Friday visited the 5,000-bed tent facility on the Fort Bliss Army base and said she saw many "chronic issues."

www.texastribune.org/2026/02/07/i...
Two tuberculosis cases detected at Camp East Montana ICE facility
Eighteen cases of COVID-19 were also identified. U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar on Friday visited the 5,000-bed tent facility on the Fort Bliss Army base and said she saw many "chronic issues."
www.texastribune.org

Reposted by Robert C. Richards

404media.co
404 Media @404media.co · 2d
Moltbook is a “social media” site for AI agents that’s captured the public’s imagination over the last few days.

'It exploded before anyone thought to check whether the database was properly secured.'
www.404media.co/exposed-molt...
Exposed Moltbook Database Let Anyone Take Control of Any AI Agent on the Site
'It exploded before anyone thought to check whether the database was properly secured.'
www.404media.co

Reposted by Timnit Gebru, Robert C. Richards

emilymbender.bsky.social
Emily M. Bender @emilymbender.bsky.social · 2d
Q for those in medical science: Does the phrase "randomized controlled trial" mean that patients were actually receiving treatment (in at least one arm of the study)?

Reposted by Robert C. Richards

volts.wtf
David Roberts @volts.wtf · 2d
D. Wallace-Wells is so much better at journalism -- and at informed commentary -- than virtually anyone else doing it that reading his stuff is always a little disorienting to me. Like, oh yeah, this can be done well!
Opinion | ICE’s New Surveillance State Isn’t Tracking Only Immigrants
www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Luca Rossi, Robert C. Richards, Olivier Mannoni

nytimes.com
The New York Times @nytimes.com · 2d
Federal prosecutors had a warrant to collect evidence from Renee Good’s vehicle after an immigration agent fatally shot her, but Trump administration officials ordered them to stop investigating. About a dozen prosecutors have since resigned, leaving the Minnesota U.S. attorney’s office in turmoil.
Prosecutors Began Investigating Renee Good’s Killing. Washington Told Them to Stop.
www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Robert C. Richards

startribune.com
Minnesota Star Tribune @startribune.com · 2d
“Minneapolis has shown me that even in the middle of grief and fear, people still show up for each other,” writes Becca Good in a thank-you note to the people of Minneapolis.
One month after Renee Good’s death, wife sends thank-you note to Minneapolis for enduring ICE’s presence
“Minneapolis has shown me that even in the middle of grief and fear, people still show up for each other.”
www.startribune.com

Reposted by Robert C. Richards

billkristolbulwark.bsky.social
Bill Kristol @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social · 2d
“Democrats should talk about ICE…Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda is deeply unpopular once voters see the real-world consequences. Support for ICE reforms is overwhelming…Polling toplines understate how intense anti-ICE sentiment has become…”

open.substack.com/pub/gelliott...
Yes, Democrats should run on ICE
Elliott and David Nir talk about 2026 strategy, the special election in Texas, and, voters' anxieties about the economy and democracy
open.substack.com

Reposted by Brendan Nyhan, Tom Clark, John Horgan , and 20 more

eoinhiggins.bsky.social
Eoin Higgins @eoinhiggins.bsky.social · 2d
Concentration camps: stories of as many as 50 people to a cell — men and women in some cases — with no windows and limited airflow, a single camera-monitored toilet, aluminum blankets, no showers and poor quality food.
ICE detainees from Maine being held under ‘inhumane’ conditions in Mass. facility, attorneys say
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesperson said the allegations of overcrowding and lack of access to lawyers are false.
www.pressherald.com

Reposted by Robert C. Richards

unlawfulentries.bsky.social
Anna O. Law @unlawfulentries.bsky.social · 2d
I teach Civil Liberties and Civil Rights in a political science department. Tell me how I can teach Carolene Products FN 4 and degrees of scrutiny without race and gender and the history of the Reconstruction Amendments.

I can't.
jnovkov.bsky.social Julie Novkov @jnovkov.bsky.social · 2d
My version of con law could not be taught in some states. I'm guessing most poli sci versions of civil rights and liberties would not be teachable as well.