Michael Sozan
@michaelsozan.bsky.social
Senior Fellow at Center for American Progress @americanprogress.bsky.social. Democracy crusader. Former Senate chief of staff, DOJ. Opinions my own, reposts aren’t endorsements.
Pinned
Michael Sozan
@michaelsozan.bsky.social
· Jul 15
Media Companies Like Paramount Should Think Twice Before Settling With Trump
This article is part of TPM Cafe, TPM’s home for opinion and news...
talkingpointsmemo.com
This can't be buried! The Trump/Paramount settlement could be bribery in plain sight.
Trump himself seemed to tie settlement to FCC review of the unrelated Paramount merger. This contradicts FCC chair Brendan Carr.
Read more in my @talkingpointsmemo.com op-ed.
talkingpointsmemo.com/cafe/media-c...
Trump himself seemed to tie settlement to FCC review of the unrelated Paramount merger. This contradicts FCC chair Brendan Carr.
Read more in my @talkingpointsmemo.com op-ed.
talkingpointsmemo.com/cafe/media-c...
Once an enormous opportunity to hold Trump accountable, now gone.
edition.cnn.com/2025/11/26/p...
edition.cnn.com/2025/11/26/p...
Georgia prosecutor kills the historic racketeering case against Trump and allies | CNN Politics
A Georgia prosecutor on Wednesday officially dropped the historic racketeering case against President Donald Trump and others for attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential election, closing the cha...
edition.cnn.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Once an enormous opportunity to hold Trump accountable, now gone.
edition.cnn.com/2025/11/26/p...
edition.cnn.com/2025/11/26/p...
Makes a lot of sense. These are the sort of structural reforms that can build trust in government (and effectiveness).
Three things that would improve trust in the political process across party lines:
1. More than just two parties
2. Campaign finance limits
3. Term limits
Love 1 & 2.
I've long been skeptical of term limits, but I could get behind 24-year limits, or age limits at 76.
snfagora.jhu.edu/wp-content/u...
1. More than just two parties
2. Campaign finance limits
3. Term limits
Love 1 & 2.
I've long been skeptical of term limits, but I could get behind 24-year limits, or age limits at 76.
snfagora.jhu.edu/wp-content/u...
November 25, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Makes a lot of sense. These are the sort of structural reforms that can build trust in government (and effectiveness).
Reposted by Michael Sozan
The No Kings Alliance stands with the Starbucks baristas on strike. Don’t shop at Starbucks while workers fight for fair pay, better staffing, and an end to union-busting. Power still belongs to the people who make this country run: nocontractnocoffee.org/#pledge
November 24, 2025 at 8:05 PM
The No Kings Alliance stands with the Starbucks baristas on strike. Don’t shop at Starbucks while workers fight for fair pay, better staffing, and an end to union-busting. Power still belongs to the people who make this country run: nocontractnocoffee.org/#pledge
Reposted by Michael Sozan
Ranked-choice voting makes sense for party primaries because party primaries often feature fractured fields.
“Scoop: Dems eye ranked-choice voting for primaries” electionlawblog.org?p=153200
"Scoop: Dems eye ranked-choice voting for primaries" #ELB
Axios: Democratic politicians and activists are quietly lobbying to upend the way the party picks its presidential nominee by urging the use of ranked-choice voting. Driving the news: Democratic Natio...
electionlawblog.org
November 24, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Ranked-choice voting makes sense for party primaries because party primaries often feature fractured fields.
LISTEN TO TY COBB’S WARNINGS ABOUT TRUMP (he’s a conservative lawyer who worked directly for Trump, not some “crazy liberal” or RINO).
www.huffpost.com/entry/ty-cob...
www.huffpost.com/entry/ty-cob...
Ex-White House Lawyer Calls Trump ‘Evil,’ Issues Major Warning
Ty Cobb spelled out a Trump tactic that is “very dangerous for us all.”
www.huffpost.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:23 PM
LISTEN TO TY COBB’S WARNINGS ABOUT TRUMP (he’s a conservative lawyer who worked directly for Trump, not some “crazy liberal” or RINO).
www.huffpost.com/entry/ty-cob...
www.huffpost.com/entry/ty-cob...
Reposted by Michael Sozan
Utility rates are up 11% since Trump took office, health care premiums are about to surge for millions, and Trump’s tariffs have driven grocery prices up. But you wouldn’t know it by watching our president.
talkingpointsmemo.com/cafe/trump-w...
talkingpointsmemo.com/cafe/trump-w...
Trump Wants to Talk ‘Affordability,’ But Is Stuck in a Gilded White House Bubble
This article is part of TPM Cafe, TPM’s home for opinion and news...
talkingpointsmemo.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Utility rates are up 11% since Trump took office, health care premiums are about to surge for millions, and Trump’s tariffs have driven grocery prices up. But you wouldn’t know it by watching our president.
talkingpointsmemo.com/cafe/trump-w...
talkingpointsmemo.com/cafe/trump-w...
Reposted by Michael Sozan
Wild recklessness.
RFK Jr: "The causative association between Tylenol given in pregnancy in the paranatal periods is not sufficient to say it definitely causes autism. But it is very suggestive."
October 29, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Wild recklessness.
Reposted by Michael Sozan
This is the sound of candidates losing the struggle against the crushing weight of partisan gravity.
This is nationalization and polarization and presidentialization swallowing everything else.
This is the dangerous collapse of dimensionality, in one chart
leedrutman.substack.com/p/the-modera...
This is nationalization and polarization and presidentialization swallowing everything else.
This is the dangerous collapse of dimensionality, in one chart
leedrutman.substack.com/p/the-modera...
October 30, 2025 at 12:34 PM
This is the sound of candidates losing the struggle against the crushing weight of partisan gravity.
This is nationalization and polarization and presidentialization swallowing everything else.
This is the dangerous collapse of dimensionality, in one chart
leedrutman.substack.com/p/the-modera...
This is nationalization and polarization and presidentialization swallowing everything else.
This is the dangerous collapse of dimensionality, in one chart
leedrutman.substack.com/p/the-modera...
Reposted by Michael Sozan
oh just straight up gutter racism!
So here's Andrew Cuomo reacting to Maria Bartiromo wondering if Mamdani will "change the look of New York" and have Muslim women "completely covered up," telling her that Mamdani "doesn't understand New York culture" because he has "dual citizenship" and "he's a citizen of Uganda."
October 29, 2025 at 4:21 PM
oh just straight up gutter racism!
Reposted by Michael Sozan
My @americanprogress.bsky.social colleague Mike Sozan reports on the success of the "No Kings" protests.
If they keep growing at the same rate—40% over 4 months—from 5M in June to 7M in October—the protests will hit that magic 3.5% of Americans (12M) by May 2026.
If they keep growing at the same rate—40% over 4 months—from 5M in June to 7M in October—the protests will hit that magic 3.5% of Americans (12M) by May 2026.
Americans Continue To Build a Peaceful Mass Movement To Force Trump Administration Changes
The October “No Kings” protests show that sustained mass mobilization is a potent force, and as history reveals, peaceful protests by just 3.5 percent of a nation’s population at a peak moment can mak...
www.americanprogress.org
October 28, 2025 at 3:39 PM
My @americanprogress.bsky.social colleague Mike Sozan reports on the success of the "No Kings" protests.
If they keep growing at the same rate—40% over 4 months—from 5M in June to 7M in October—the protests will hit that magic 3.5% of Americans (12M) by May 2026.
If they keep growing at the same rate—40% over 4 months—from 5M in June to 7M in October—the protests will hit that magic 3.5% of Americans (12M) by May 2026.
Reposted by Michael Sozan
NEW: My CAP colleague Ben Olinsky has written a sobering examination of the surge in antisemitism in America and delivers seven solid nonpartisan policy recommendations for fighting it.
@americanprogress.bsky.social
@americanprogress.bsky.social
7 Policy Recommendations for Combating Antisemitism in the United States
The surge in antisemitism seen in America today threatens the Jewish community and the nation’s democracy as a whole, and it necessitates a nonpartisan, whole-of-society effort to eradicate hate.
www.americanprogress.org
October 28, 2025 at 4:07 PM
NEW: My CAP colleague Ben Olinsky has written a sobering examination of the surge in antisemitism in America and delivers seven solid nonpartisan policy recommendations for fighting it.
@americanprogress.bsky.social
@americanprogress.bsky.social
Everyday Americans hold the power to stop authoritarianism.
The peaceful No Kings protests are a continued huge step in the right direction.
Read my latest @americanprogress.bsky.social column about the path ahead.
www.americanprogress.org/article/amer...
The peaceful No Kings protests are a continued huge step in the right direction.
Read my latest @americanprogress.bsky.social column about the path ahead.
www.americanprogress.org/article/amer...
Americans Continue To Build a Peaceful Mass Movement To Force Trump Administration Changes
The October “No Kings” protests show that sustained mass mobilization is a potent force, and as history reveals, peaceful protests by just 3.5 percent of a nation’s population at a peak moment can mak...
www.americanprogress.org
October 28, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Everyday Americans hold the power to stop authoritarianism.
The peaceful No Kings protests are a continued huge step in the right direction.
Read my latest @americanprogress.bsky.social column about the path ahead.
www.americanprogress.org/article/amer...
The peaceful No Kings protests are a continued huge step in the right direction.
Read my latest @americanprogress.bsky.social column about the path ahead.
www.americanprogress.org/article/amer...
Reposted by Michael Sozan
“Letitia James would be among the many Black women that support their families.” Thanks @nytimes.com for covering @kennedyandara.bsky.social Bela Salas-Betsch & my research @americanprogress.bsky.social in this story about the experiences of Black breadwinning women. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/25/n...
In Letitia James Case, Some Black Women See Their Own Family Sacrifices
www.nytimes.com
October 26, 2025 at 7:06 PM
“Letitia James would be among the many Black women that support their families.” Thanks @nytimes.com for covering @kennedyandara.bsky.social Bela Salas-Betsch & my research @americanprogress.bsky.social in this story about the experiences of Black breadwinning women. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/25/n...
Reposted by Michael Sozan
Warren: The only movement these Republicans can manage is bowing down to Trump. When you ask them about today, they claim the No Kings Rally is anti-American. They’re wrong. Hundreds of thousands of people protesting peacefully for what they believe in—that is deeply American. That is patriotism.
October 18, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Warren: The only movement these Republicans can manage is bowing down to Trump. When you ask them about today, they claim the No Kings Rally is anti-American. They’re wrong. Hundreds of thousands of people protesting peacefully for what they believe in—that is deeply American. That is patriotism.
Reposted by Michael Sozan
Leah and I just got off the stage in DC. More than 200k. Double what we saw for Hands Off! This movement is incredible.
We’re better than fear. We’re braver than billionaires. We’re bigger than ever. And we will win. #NoKings
We’re better than fear. We’re braver than billionaires. We’re bigger than ever. And we will win. #NoKings
October 18, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Leah and I just got off the stage in DC. More than 200k. Double what we saw for Hands Off! This movement is incredible.
We’re better than fear. We’re braver than billionaires. We’re bigger than ever. And we will win. #NoKings
We’re better than fear. We’re braver than billionaires. We’re bigger than ever. And we will win. #NoKings
If approx 12 million Americans peacefully protest today for #NoKings, transformative change will be hard to stop! Learn more about the powerful 3.5% rule…
Your voice matters. Find a No Kings protest near you this Saturday: https://www.nokings.org/
October 18, 2025 at 6:41 PM
If approx 12 million Americans peacefully protest today for #NoKings, transformative change will be hard to stop! Learn more about the powerful 3.5% rule…
Important analysis from my @americanprogress.bsky.social colleague…
Next up on #SCOTUS's hit list - Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Louisiana v. #Callais is being argued next week and decades of progress will likely be thrown out the door. My new piece: www.americanprogress.org/article/loui...
Louisiana v. Callais: The End of the Voting Rights Act?
Louisiana v. Callais puts Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act in the Supreme Court’s crosshairs and could result in the elimination of the last remaining bulwark against racial discrimination in voting...
www.americanprogress.org
October 10, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Important analysis from my @americanprogress.bsky.social colleague…
Reposted by Michael Sozan
New Pod
@michaelsozan.bsky.social from @americanprogressaction.org joins the pod to discuss Trump’s authoritarian plan to consolidate power & go after perceived enemies
Mike & @colin-seeberger.bsky.social also discuss #JimmyKimmel, the potential government shutdown & how Democrats are pushing back
@michaelsozan.bsky.social from @americanprogressaction.org joins the pod to discuss Trump’s authoritarian plan to consolidate power & go after perceived enemies
Mike & @colin-seeberger.bsky.social also discuss #JimmyKimmel, the potential government shutdown & how Democrats are pushing back
Mike Sozan on the State of U.S. Democracy
Podcast Episode · The Tent · 09/24/2025 · 38m
podcasts.apple.com
September 24, 2025 at 1:59 PM
New Pod
@michaelsozan.bsky.social from @americanprogressaction.org joins the pod to discuss Trump’s authoritarian plan to consolidate power & go after perceived enemies
Mike & @colin-seeberger.bsky.social also discuss #JimmyKimmel, the potential government shutdown & how Democrats are pushing back
@michaelsozan.bsky.social from @americanprogressaction.org joins the pod to discuss Trump’s authoritarian plan to consolidate power & go after perceived enemies
Mike & @colin-seeberger.bsky.social also discuss #JimmyKimmel, the potential government shutdown & how Democrats are pushing back
Reposted by Michael Sozan
SCOTUS has been hacking away at the separation of church and state. This is the legacy of the Roberts Court. More from @thedailyhayley.bsky.social and I on that for @americanprogress.bsky.social, here: www.americanprogress.org/article/how-...
How the Supreme Court Is Dismantling the Separation of Church and State
Chief Justice John Roberts’ court is actively eroding the separation of church and state, breaking with centuries of First Amendment jurisprudence.
www.americanprogress.org
October 6, 2025 at 2:28 PM
SCOTUS has been hacking away at the separation of church and state. This is the legacy of the Roberts Court. More from @thedailyhayley.bsky.social and I on that for @americanprogress.bsky.social, here: www.americanprogress.org/article/how-...
Reposted by Michael Sozan
Today is the first day of the 2025-2026 Supreme Court term and we just released our major new report on religion at the Roberts Court: www.americanprogress.org/article/how-...
How the Supreme Court Is Dismantling the Separation of Church and State
Chief Justice John Roberts’ court is actively eroding the separation of church and state, breaking with centuries of First Amendment jurisprudence.
www.americanprogress.org
October 6, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Today is the first day of the 2025-2026 Supreme Court term and we just released our major new report on religion at the Roberts Court: www.americanprogress.org/article/how-...
Reposted by Michael Sozan
It’s really all we should be talking about today.
There is no world in which it is normal for the president to publicly call upon his attorney general to hurry up and prosecute his political foes. It’s like the Watergate tapes but posted on social media. Let’s get a grip on what’s happening here.
September 21, 2025 at 12:20 PM
It’s really all we should be talking about today.
Reposted by Michael Sozan
To be absolutely clear on what just happened here, Trump ousted this veteran career prosecutor *precisely because* he would *not* cook the facts to bring a corrupt prosecution against one of Trump's leading enemies.
To Trump, refusing to prosecute his foes for fake crimes is a firing offense.
To Trump, refusing to prosecute his foes for fake crimes is a firing offense.
Trump's scam of inventing "mortgage fraud" charges against his foes is failing. So he's set to fire a top prosecutor who is failing to bring charges, ABC reports.
Failing to bring corrupt prosecutions is now a firing offense. This is profound misconduct.
New piece:
newrepublic.com/article/2006...
Failing to bring corrupt prosecutions is now a firing offense. This is profound misconduct.
New piece:
newrepublic.com/article/2006...
Trump Firing Top Prosecutor for Failing to Invent Fake Crimes by Foes
A U.S. attorney in Virginia is finding no evidence that Letitia James broke the law. In America, that’s justice. In Trumpworld, it’s a firing offense.
newrepublic.com
September 20, 2025 at 11:29 AM
To be absolutely clear on what just happened here, Trump ousted this veteran career prosecutor *precisely because* he would *not* cook the facts to bring a corrupt prosecution against one of Trump's leading enemies.
To Trump, refusing to prosecute his foes for fake crimes is a firing offense.
To Trump, refusing to prosecute his foes for fake crimes is a firing offense.
Reposted by Michael Sozan
Tom Homan, who was later named President Trump’s border chief, was recorded in September 2024 accepting a bag with $50,000 in cash in an undercover FBI investigation, according to people familiar with the case, which was later closed by Trump administration officials.
Trump Justice Dept. Closed Investigation Into Tom Homan for Accepting Bag of Cash
Mr. Homan came under scrutiny after he was said to be recorded last year taking $50,000 in cash from undercover F.B.I. agents.
nyti.ms
September 20, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Tom Homan, who was later named President Trump’s border chief, was recorded in September 2024 accepting a bag with $50,000 in cash in an undercover FBI investigation, according to people familiar with the case, which was later closed by Trump administration officials.
It’s incredible: Trump is unpopular — 40% approval rating. Yet, corporations and others are capitulating to him, like they did to Orbán in Hungary.
Civil society and the media need to push back in a strong, concerted effort. It can be scary but it must be done.
Civil society and the media need to push back in a strong, concerted effort. It can be scary but it must be done.
"Orbánization has surged forward in the last 24 hours."
Yep, and Trump has since made it explicit that he's instructed FCC chair Brendan Carr to abuse broadcast licensing to suppress network criticism of him. He's stated it right in the open.
Yep, and Trump has since made it explicit that he's instructed FCC chair Brendan Carr to abuse broadcast licensing to suppress network criticism of him. He's stated it right in the open.
The government is “using the public interest standard to go after anything it doesn’t like" says Anna Gomez. She is the only Democratic-appointed commissioner on the three-member Federal Communications Commission.
newrepublic.com/article/2006...
Orbánization has surged forward in the last 24 hours.
newrepublic.com/article/2006...
Orbánization has surged forward in the last 24 hours.
September 19, 2025 at 1:28 PM
It’s incredible: Trump is unpopular — 40% approval rating. Yet, corporations and others are capitulating to him, like they did to Orbán in Hungary.
Civil society and the media need to push back in a strong, concerted effort. It can be scary but it must be done.
Civil society and the media need to push back in a strong, concerted effort. It can be scary but it must be done.
Reposted by Michael Sozan
Ezra Levin: This is a movement that understands cowardice is contagious. When Disney and ABC capitulate 1,000 other institutions are looking at them...That cowardice, it endangers all of us, but it is not inevitable. This is a movement that also knows the courage is contagious. #NoKingsKickOff
September 19, 2025 at 12:25 AM
Ezra Levin: This is a movement that understands cowardice is contagious. When Disney and ABC capitulate 1,000 other institutions are looking at them...That cowardice, it endangers all of us, but it is not inevitable. This is a movement that also knows the courage is contagious. #NoKingsKickOff