Ames Grawert
@amescg.bsky.social
Senior Counsel at the Brennan Center, working on criminal justice policy and understanding the impact of federal funding cuts. Hopefully building a better world for everyone, especially two little girls. Views my own, dad jokes and sci-fi takes welcome.
What do the facts say about crime in New York City? We chronicle where New York stands compared to other cities, progress it has made since the pandemic — and remaining public safety challenges.
New from the @brennancenter.org:
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
New from the @brennancenter.org:
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
2025 Trends in Crime and Safety in New York City
New York remains one of the safest cities in the country, but some persistent challenges require close attention.
www.brennancenter.org
November 19, 2025 at 8:35 PM
What do the facts say about crime in New York City? We chronicle where New York stands compared to other cities, progress it has made since the pandemic — and remaining public safety challenges.
New from the @brennancenter.org:
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
New from the @brennancenter.org:
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
Diamine's Autumn Oak is the go-to "fall ink" for the fountain pen community, but I'm here to recommend Pilot's Iroshizuku Momiji ("Autumn Leaves") instead. It's a richer, more saturated tone that evokes the deep red of a Japanese Maple in late fall.
November 19, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Diamine's Autumn Oak is the go-to "fall ink" for the fountain pen community, but I'm here to recommend Pilot's Iroshizuku Momiji ("Autumn Leaves") instead. It's a richer, more saturated tone that evokes the deep red of a Japanese Maple in late fall.
Reposted by Ames Grawert
It's the 40th anniversary of the debut of Bill Watterson's Calvin & Hobbes, so let's dive back into what made that strip so wonderful with insight from Skottie Young, @chriseliopoulos.com, Michael Cho, and more.
Note: This was written for the 30th anniversary of SKTCHD and is free to read.
Note: This was written for the 30th anniversary of SKTCHD and is free to read.
The Wonder and Legacy of Bill Watterson's Calvin and Hobbes, Thirty Years Later - SKTCHD
There’s something magical about being a kid. It’s a time of infinite opportunities. A time where pillows aren’t just pillows, but the key to a totally rad fort. The forest behind your house isn’t a we...
sktchd.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:40 PM
It's the 40th anniversary of the debut of Bill Watterson's Calvin & Hobbes, so let's dive back into what made that strip so wonderful with insight from Skottie Young, @chriseliopoulos.com, Michael Cho, and more.
Note: This was written for the 30th anniversary of SKTCHD and is free to read.
Note: This was written for the 30th anniversary of SKTCHD and is free to read.
Reposted by Ames Grawert
Proud to be a part of this latest SCOTUS filing from @janemanners.bsky.social, who breaks down the history behind when presidents can, and can't, fire agency leaders like FTC Commissioner Slaughter. It's one of several briefs filed by our Historians Council members today - check them out below!
BREAKING: @janemanners.bsky.social, a legal historian and member of the Brennan Center’s Historians Council, filed a brief with the Supreme Court in Trump v. Slaughter, a lawsuit challenging President Trump’s attempt to remove a commissioner of the FTC without cause: bit.ly/4nSvm9B
November 14, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Proud to be a part of this latest SCOTUS filing from @janemanners.bsky.social, who breaks down the history behind when presidents can, and can't, fire agency leaders like FTC Commissioner Slaughter. It's one of several briefs filed by our Historians Council members today - check them out below!
Reposted by Ames Grawert
YELLEN: “.. businesses feel paralyzed by the uncertainty about policies that represent the strong but really personal whims of a single individual.”
@bloomberg.com
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
@bloomberg.com
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
November 14, 2025 at 12:54 PM
YELLEN: “.. businesses feel paralyzed by the uncertainty about policies that represent the strong but really personal whims of a single individual.”
@bloomberg.com
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
@bloomberg.com
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Frozen and cut federal grants undermine the rule of law — and undercut American scientific leadership. We spoke with @aratip.bsky.social about the stakes for the future and why private investment matters, but won't fill the gap.
From the @brennancenter.org:
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
From the @brennancenter.org:
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
Harms of the Federal Funding Freeze on Science
A venture capitalist and former White House science adviser discusses the impact of the Trump administration’s attempted funding freeze on the future of research and innovation.
www.brennancenter.org
November 12, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Frozen and cut federal grants undermine the rule of law — and undercut American scientific leadership. We spoke with @aratip.bsky.social about the stakes for the future and why private investment matters, but won't fill the gap.
From the @brennancenter.org:
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
From the @brennancenter.org:
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
Taking public safety seriously means following the evidence and starting local.
Read more in the @brennancenter.org analysis that inspired this video, by me and @jchendrickson.bsky.social: www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
Read more in the @brennancenter.org analysis that inspired this video, by me and @jchendrickson.bsky.social: www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
October 1, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Taking public safety seriously means following the evidence and starting local.
Read more in the @brennancenter.org analysis that inspired this video, by me and @jchendrickson.bsky.social: www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
Read more in the @brennancenter.org analysis that inspired this video, by me and @jchendrickson.bsky.social: www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
Introduced my daughter to the “no vehicles in the park” law school hypo and so far she’s concluded that the rule DOES apply to bicycles because “parks are for play and you can play without a bike.”
It’s so exciting watching her learn to think through a problem; I’m so proud!
It’s so exciting watching her learn to think through a problem; I’m so proud!
October 1, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Introduced my daughter to the “no vehicles in the park” law school hypo and so far she’s concluded that the rule DOES apply to bicycles because “parks are for play and you can play without a bike.”
It’s so exciting watching her learn to think through a problem; I’m so proud!
It’s so exciting watching her learn to think through a problem; I’m so proud!
Reposted by Ames Grawert
Today the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing titled “Blue City Chaos and Tragedy: How the Trump Administration is Addressing the Human Cost of Soft On Crime Policies.” This is a false premise, and the hearing included discussion of several bad ideas that won’t make Americans safer 1/5
September 30, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Today the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing titled “Blue City Chaos and Tragedy: How the Trump Administration is Addressing the Human Cost of Soft On Crime Policies.” This is a false premise, and the hearing included discussion of several bad ideas that won’t make Americans safer 1/5
FYI NJT commuters --
The M&E and Gladstone lines are a complete mess and running on a revised schedule until further notice. You might've missed this news as NJT did very little to warn riders in advance.
The M&E and Gladstone lines are a complete mess and running on a revised schedule until further notice. You might've missed this news as NJT did very little to warn riders in advance.
[1/2] Morris and Essex Line and Gladstone Branch rail service is subject to up to 20-minute delays in both directions between Millburn and Summit Stations due to ongoing repairs following a slow-speed non-passenger work train derailment at Summit Station. Morris and Essex Line, Gladstone Branch, and
September 29, 2025 at 3:25 PM
FYI NJT commuters --
The M&E and Gladstone lines are a complete mess and running on a revised schedule until further notice. You might've missed this news as NJT did very little to warn riders in advance.
The M&E and Gladstone lines are a complete mess and running on a revised schedule until further notice. You might've missed this news as NJT did very little to warn riders in advance.
Reposted by Ames Grawert
The Administration's plans to fight crime using the National Guard are not the way to build real, lasting safety. Here's what the evidence shows can work, even as we continue to see national declines in crime. New from the @brennancenter.org:
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
What Actually Works to Fight Crime
The administration’s plans to fight crime by dictating state bail policy or deploying the National Guard won’t build long-term safety, but there are many evidence-based ways to reduce crime.
www.brennancenter.org
September 19, 2025 at 7:02 PM
The Administration's plans to fight crime using the National Guard are not the way to build real, lasting safety. Here's what the evidence shows can work, even as we continue to see national declines in crime. New from the @brennancenter.org:
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
"DOJ has slashed $88 million in grant awards for substance abuse treatment, mental health services, and programs that team police with health professionals," a move likely to hurt people struggling with these problems *and* burden law enforcement:
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
Federal Cuts to Behavioral Health Will Harm Public Safety
Law enforcement and public health professionals agree that initiatives such as mental health crisis response teams and drug treatment reduce arrests and incarceration.
www.brennancenter.org
September 25, 2025 at 8:19 PM
"DOJ has slashed $88 million in grant awards for substance abuse treatment, mental health services, and programs that team police with health professionals," a move likely to hurt people struggling with these problems *and* burden law enforcement:
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
Reposted by Ames Grawert
This is interesting — in a paper out today, researchers created an alternate history to estimate what Trump's desired cuts to NIH would look like. Of 557 drugs approved 2000-2023, *more than half* are at least partially linked to NIH research that would have not happened under a 40% reduction.
What if NIH had been 40% smaller?
Replaying history with less NIH funding shows widespread impacts on drug-linked research
www.science.org
September 25, 2025 at 7:04 PM
This is interesting — in a paper out today, researchers created an alternate history to estimate what Trump's desired cuts to NIH would look like. Of 557 drugs approved 2000-2023, *more than half* are at least partially linked to NIH research that would have not happened under a 40% reduction.
Reposted by Ames Grawert
If the Admin is serious about crime prevention & helping cities with crime rates, the work starts with listening to local leaders, following the evidence, & providing support, not with deploying the Guard. @amescg.bsky.social and I walk through the evidence in a new @brennancenter.org analysis:
What Actually Works to Fight Crime
The administration’s plans to fight crime by dictating state bail policy or deploying the National Guard won’t build long-term safety, but there are many evidence-based ways to reduce crime.
www.brennancenter.org
September 19, 2025 at 7:12 PM
If the Admin is serious about crime prevention & helping cities with crime rates, the work starts with listening to local leaders, following the evidence, & providing support, not with deploying the Guard. @amescg.bsky.social and I walk through the evidence in a new @brennancenter.org analysis:
The Administration's plans to fight crime using the National Guard are not the way to build real, lasting safety. Here's what the evidence shows can work, even as we continue to see national declines in crime. New from the @brennancenter.org:
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
What Actually Works to Fight Crime
The administration’s plans to fight crime by dictating state bail policy or deploying the National Guard won’t build long-term safety, but there are many evidence-based ways to reduce crime.
www.brennancenter.org
September 19, 2025 at 7:02 PM
The Administration's plans to fight crime using the National Guard are not the way to build real, lasting safety. Here's what the evidence shows can work, even as we continue to see national declines in crime. New from the @brennancenter.org:
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
Reposted by Ames Grawert
I wanted to get a video of this ghost crab but every time I got close to their hole they scuttled back in, so I tried getting clever with it. I made a little sandcastle and shoved my phone into it, hit record, and walked away. Crab was VERY suspicious of this addition to their environment.
September 19, 2025 at 12:30 PM
I wanted to get a video of this ghost crab but every time I got close to their hole they scuttled back in, so I tried getting clever with it. I made a little sandcastle and shoved my phone into it, hit record, and walked away. Crab was VERY suspicious of this addition to their environment.
Reposted by Ames Grawert
While the Federal Prison Oversight Act promises to bring much-needed accountability to U.S. prisons, it can only reach its full potential if Congress funds it and the Justice Department faithfully implements it.
bit.ly/3V8SO6J
bit.ly/3V8SO6J
The Federal Prison Oversight Act, Explained
In the wake of serious abuses, the 2024 law improves transparency and accountability in the nation’s largest prison system.
www.brennancenter.org
September 9, 2025 at 4:24 PM
While the Federal Prison Oversight Act promises to bring much-needed accountability to U.S. prisons, it can only reach its full potential if Congress funds it and the Justice Department faithfully implements it.
bit.ly/3V8SO6J
bit.ly/3V8SO6J
Not a single word, but when I'm tired I flip homophones (e.g., "hear" instead of "here").
Unfortunately I have two kids and am always tired.
Unfortunately I have two kids and am always tired.
Hello, I'm a professional author and I can never spell permanently or camouflage on the first try.
Come, make me feel better and share your nemesis words.
Come, make me feel better and share your nemesis words.
September 17, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Not a single word, but when I'm tired I flip homophones (e.g., "hear" instead of "here").
Unfortunately I have two kids and am always tired.
Unfortunately I have two kids and am always tired.
Reposted by Ames Grawert
Sometimes it's nice to remember that even Marcus Aurelius was like "you don't have to comment on everything bro"
September 17, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Sometimes it's nice to remember that even Marcus Aurelius was like "you don't have to comment on everything bro"
Robert Jackson Bennett's "Drop of Corruption," the sequel to this year's Hugo winner ("The Tainted Cup"), is easily his best work to date, and I say this as a huge fan of pretty much everything he's written. Pick it up today if you're a scifi-fantasy reader and don't skip the Author's Note.
September 11, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Robert Jackson Bennett's "Drop of Corruption," the sequel to this year's Hugo winner ("The Tainted Cup"), is easily his best work to date, and I say this as a huge fan of pretty much everything he's written. Pick it up today if you're a scifi-fantasy reader and don't skip the Author's Note.
Reposted by Ames Grawert
Today’s murder of Charlie Kirk is outrageous. It is part of a dangerous pattern of violence that threatens the safety of all communities. This violence is unacceptable and tears at the social fabric, and we must find a way to work together to end it.
September 10, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Today’s murder of Charlie Kirk is outrageous. It is part of a dangerous pattern of violence that threatens the safety of all communities. This violence is unacceptable and tears at the social fabric, and we must find a way to work together to end it.
Reposted by Ames Grawert
New this week: Chicago likely has had fewer shootings through August year than any year since the mid-1960s. Gun violence remains a problem there, but I wrote about the city's encouraging trends and the data challenge of historically contextualizing this year.
jasher.substack.com/p/contextual...
jasher.substack.com/p/contextual...
Contextualizing Chicago's Enormous Drop in Shootings
When was the last time Chicago had this few shootings?
jasher.substack.com
September 2, 2025 at 12:46 PM
New this week: Chicago likely has had fewer shootings through August year than any year since the mid-1960s. Gun violence remains a problem there, but I wrote about the city's encouraging trends and the data challenge of historically contextualizing this year.
jasher.substack.com/p/contextual...
jasher.substack.com/p/contextual...
Reposted by Ames Grawert
President Trump recently signed two executive orders to end bail reform, claiming it threatens public safety. But Brennan Center research shows no clear link between bail reform and crime rates: bit.ly/4dkG58o
August 28, 2025 at 4:33 PM
President Trump recently signed two executive orders to end bail reform, claiming it threatens public safety. But Brennan Center research shows no clear link between bail reform and crime rates: bit.ly/4dkG58o
Reposted by Ames Grawert
“If you are looking for a lever to reduce crime nationally, bail reform is not a lever I would pull.” — @amescg.bsky.social in @washingtonpost.com. Brennan Center research shows that bail reform has no statistically significant relationship with crime rates.
Trump signs orders aimed at ending cashless bail, flag burning
The moves are important to President Donald Trump’s base but might face legal challenges.
www.washingtonpost.com
August 26, 2025 at 2:47 PM
“If you are looking for a lever to reduce crime nationally, bail reform is not a lever I would pull.” — @amescg.bsky.social in @washingtonpost.com. Brennan Center research shows that bail reform has no statistically significant relationship with crime rates.
The Trump Administration thinks bail reform is a threat to public safety and wants to force states to abandon laws that make our justice system fairer and more effective. As coauthor of one of the only national study of bail reform and crime, here's why he's wrong.
Breaking news: President Trump signed executive orders aimed at ending cashless bail across the country and pushing courts to reconsider the legality of burning the American flag.
Trump signs order aimed at ending cashless bail
President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at ending cashless bail.
wapo.st
August 25, 2025 at 6:25 PM
The Trump Administration thinks bail reform is a threat to public safety and wants to force states to abandon laws that make our justice system fairer and more effective. As coauthor of one of the only national study of bail reform and crime, here's why he's wrong.