Michael Lieberman
@mlieberman.bsky.social
Senior Policy Counsel, Hate and Extremism, Southern Poverty Law Center. Views are my own, reposts are not endorsements. @splcenter.org
At a time when Sec Hegseth is spending taxpayer money to revert Army Base names back to Confederate leaders who waged a civil war to protect their right to enslave other human beings, the Coast Guard bans Confederate flags — but not swastikas — before a quick reversal.
www.cnn.com/2025/11/21/p...
www.cnn.com/2025/11/21/p...
Coast Guard reclassifies swastikas and nooses as hate symbols after backlash | CNN Politics
The US Coast Guard on Thursday issued a memo that reclassifies swastikas and nooses as “hate symbols,” in a rapid about-face after facing intense scrutiny for a previous policy change which downplayed...
www.cnn.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:22 PM
At a time when Sec Hegseth is spending taxpayer money to revert Army Base names back to Confederate leaders who waged a civil war to protect their right to enslave other human beings, the Coast Guard bans Confederate flags — but not swastikas — before a quick reversal.
www.cnn.com/2025/11/21/p...
www.cnn.com/2025/11/21/p...
Heartbreaking story about the impact of bigotry & anti-trans legislation on the family of two Christian ministers who had to move their family from their home in the South in order to secure gender-affirming care for their daughter.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/p...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/p...
Parenting a Trans Kid in Trump’s America
www.nytimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Heartbreaking story about the impact of bigotry & anti-trans legislation on the family of two Christian ministers who had to move their family from their home in the South in order to secure gender-affirming care for their daughter.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/p...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/p...
Trump Berates One Reporter and Tells Another,‘Quiet, Piggy’
www.nytimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:05 PM
ICAP is proud to have defeated Kim Davis's efforts to overrule Obergefell. SCOTUS's denial of review confirms that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry, and that Davis's denial of marriage licenses plainly violated that right. Love wins!
November 11, 2025 at 5:49 AM
“A movement, especially one that verges on an outright cult of personality, is defined by its leader…when the leader is lawless & depraved, then efforts to contain his influence while preserving his power are doomed to fail.”
@davidfrenchjag.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/09/o...
@davidfrenchjag.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/09/o...
Opinion | Cruelty, Bigotry and Rage. What’s Not to Like?
www.nytimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:01 AM
“A movement, especially one that verges on an outright cult of personality, is defined by its leader…when the leader is lawless & depraved, then efforts to contain his influence while preserving his power are doomed to fail.”
@davidfrenchjag.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/09/o...
@davidfrenchjag.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/09/o...
November 5, 2025 at 12:44 PM
If you don’t vote, you don’t count.
Vote your voice!
Election Protection Hotline:
If you encounter a problem when you go to vote, call 866 - OUR - VOTE
#TheSouthsGotNow #ElectionDay #Election2025
Vote your voice!
Election Protection Hotline:
If you encounter a problem when you go to vote, call 866 - OUR - VOTE
#TheSouthsGotNow #ElectionDay #Election2025
Today is Election Day! Voting is the most powerful way to raise our voices in our democracy. If you have issues at the polls, call or text the voter protection hotline: ☎️ 866 - OUR - VOTE
#TheSouthsGotNow #ElectionDay #Election2025
#TheSouthsGotNow #ElectionDay #Election2025
November 4, 2025 at 1:56 PM
If you don’t vote, you don’t count.
Vote your voice!
Election Protection Hotline:
If you encounter a problem when you go to vote, call 866 - OUR - VOTE
#TheSouthsGotNow #ElectionDay #Election2025
Vote your voice!
Election Protection Hotline:
If you encounter a problem when you go to vote, call 866 - OUR - VOTE
#TheSouthsGotNow #ElectionDay #Election2025
Hail @michellegoldberg.bsky.social
“Within certain MAGA circles, to criticize someone for being too racist or reactionary is a betrayal, signaling an acceptance of the very liberal morality that the movement’s vanguard seeks to destroy.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/03/o...
“Within certain MAGA circles, to criticize someone for being too racist or reactionary is a betrayal, signaling an acceptance of the very liberal morality that the movement’s vanguard seeks to destroy.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/03/o...
Opinion | Nick Fuentes Was Charlie Kirk’s Bitter Enemy. Now He’s Becoming His Successor.
www.nytimes.com
November 4, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Hail @michellegoldberg.bsky.social
“Within certain MAGA circles, to criticize someone for being too racist or reactionary is a betrayal, signaling an acceptance of the very liberal morality that the movement’s vanguard seeks to destroy.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/03/o...
“Within certain MAGA circles, to criticize someone for being too racist or reactionary is a betrayal, signaling an acceptance of the very liberal morality that the movement’s vanguard seeks to destroy.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/03/o...
"reject the politics of fear & division and to commit instead to policies that advance racial justice, strengthen democracy & make every community safer.
The data is clear.
The path forward is clear.
What remains essential is the political will to follow it."
www.splcenter.org/wp-content/u...
The data is clear.
The path forward is clear.
What remains essential is the political will to follow it."
www.splcenter.org/wp-content/u...
November 3, 2025 at 2:20 PM
"reject the politics of fear & division and to commit instead to policies that advance racial justice, strengthen democracy & make every community safer.
The data is clear.
The path forward is clear.
What remains essential is the political will to follow it."
www.splcenter.org/wp-content/u...
The data is clear.
The path forward is clear.
What remains essential is the political will to follow it."
www.splcenter.org/wp-content/u...
"The danger here goes beyond the podcast cabal and a misguided think-tank leader...If conservatives—& Republicans—don’t call out this poison in their own ranks before it corrupts more young minds, the right & America are entering dangerous territory."
www.wsj.com/opinion/the-...
www.wsj.com/opinion/the-...
Opinion | The New Right’s New Antisemites
Kevin Roberts of the Heritage Foundation flounders in the Tucker Carlson-Nick Fuentes fever swamps.
www.wsj.com
November 3, 2025 at 1:17 PM
"The danger here goes beyond the podcast cabal and a misguided think-tank leader...If conservatives—& Republicans—don’t call out this poison in their own ranks before it corrupts more young minds, the right & America are entering dangerous territory."
www.wsj.com/opinion/the-...
www.wsj.com/opinion/the-...
Every month is #HateCrimesAwarenessMonth — but especially October.
Check out our @splcenter.org
website for updated counteraction resources, prevention strategies, and tips on how to fight hate and build community.
Onward!
www.splcenter.org/resources/gu...
Check out our @splcenter.org
website for updated counteraction resources, prevention strategies, and tips on how to fight hate and build community.
Onward!
www.splcenter.org/resources/gu...
October 19, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Every month is #HateCrimesAwarenessMonth — but especially October.
Check out our @splcenter.org
website for updated counteraction resources, prevention strategies, and tips on how to fight hate and build community.
Onward!
www.splcenter.org/resources/gu...
Check out our @splcenter.org
website for updated counteraction resources, prevention strategies, and tips on how to fight hate and build community.
Onward!
www.splcenter.org/resources/gu...
"2,900 pages of chats, shared among a dozen millennial & Gen Z Republicans ... where racist, antisemitic & violent rhetoric circulate freely — & where the Trump-era loosening of political norms has made such talk feel less taboo among those positioning themselves as the party’s next leaders."
‘I love Hitler’: Leaked messages expose Young Republicans’ racist chat
Thousands of private messages reveal young GOP leaders joking about gas chambers, slavery and rape.
www.politico.com
October 15, 2025 at 6:28 PM
"2,900 pages of chats, shared among a dozen millennial & Gen Z Republicans ... where racist, antisemitic & violent rhetoric circulate freely — & where the Trump-era loosening of political norms has made such talk feel less taboo among those positioning themselves as the party’s next leaders."
"Of course, this is racially motivated….”
“the services have made deliberate efforts to reduce recruiting efforts linked to minority groups amid Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's purge of diversity initiatives”
www.military.com/daily-news/2...
@stevenbeynon.bsky.social
@militarydotcom.bsky.social
“the services have made deliberate efforts to reduce recruiting efforts linked to minority groups amid Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's purge of diversity initiatives”
www.military.com/daily-news/2...
@stevenbeynon.bsky.social
@militarydotcom.bsky.social
New Army Shaving Policy Will Allow Soldiers with Skin Condition that Affects Mostly Black Men to Be Kicked Out
The Army is preparing to roll out a new policy that could lead to soldiers diagnosed with a chronic skin condition that causes painful razor bumps and scarring to be kicked out of the service -- an is...
www.military.com
September 30, 2025 at 12:55 PM
"Of course, this is racially motivated….”
“the services have made deliberate efforts to reduce recruiting efforts linked to minority groups amid Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's purge of diversity initiatives”
www.military.com/daily-news/2...
@stevenbeynon.bsky.social
@militarydotcom.bsky.social
“the services have made deliberate efforts to reduce recruiting efforts linked to minority groups amid Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's purge of diversity initiatives”
www.military.com/daily-news/2...
@stevenbeynon.bsky.social
@militarydotcom.bsky.social
Important @dell.bsky.social @wired.com piece on purposeful, harmful lies.
“There are no legitimate studies that suggest that a majority of school shootings since 2015 involve trangender people. Trans people are far more likely to be victimized by gun violence than to perpetrate it.”
@splcenter.org
“There are no legitimate studies that suggest that a majority of school shootings since 2015 involve trangender people. Trans people are far more likely to be victimized by gun violence than to perpetrate it.”
@splcenter.org
NEW: By inflating numbers and narrowing definitions, the Heritage Foundation is promoting a false link between transgender identity and violence in a push for the FBI to create a new category of terrorism.
By me & @couts.bsky.social:
By me & @couts.bsky.social:
Heritage Foundation Uses Bogus Stat to Push a Trans Terrorism Classification
By inflating numbers and narrowing definitions, Heritage promotes a false link between transgender identity and violence in its push for the FBI to create a new terrorism category.
www.wired.com
September 29, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Important @dell.bsky.social @wired.com piece on purposeful, harmful lies.
“There are no legitimate studies that suggest that a majority of school shootings since 2015 involve trangender people. Trans people are far more likely to be victimized by gun violence than to perpetrate it.”
@splcenter.org
“There are no legitimate studies that suggest that a majority of school shootings since 2015 involve trangender people. Trans people are far more likely to be victimized by gun violence than to perpetrate it.”
@splcenter.org
But, really, how bad was slavery?
Too divisive to discuss or contemplate?
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/c...
Too divisive to discuss or contemplate?
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/c...
Park Service Is Ordered to Take Down Some Materials on Slavery and Tribes
www.nytimes.com
September 18, 2025 at 12:07 AM
But, really, how bad was slavery?
Too divisive to discuss or contemplate?
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/c...
Too divisive to discuss or contemplate?
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/c...
We @splcenter.org urge a NO vote on a set of regressive bills coming before the House of Representatives that would undermine WDC autonomy & drag DC's criminal legal system backwards to the failed "lock em up" "tough on crime" days.
#HandsOffDC
www.splcenter.org/resources/po...
#HandsOffDC
www.splcenter.org/resources/po...
Proposals Attack the District of Columbia’s Right to Self-govern
H.R. 5140, H.R. 4922 and H.R. 5143 would override the will of D.C. residents and re-entrench policies proven ineffective and discriminatory.
www.splcenter.org
September 16, 2025 at 10:28 PM
We @splcenter.org urge a NO vote on a set of regressive bills coming before the House of Representatives that would undermine WDC autonomy & drag DC's criminal legal system backwards to the failed "lock em up" "tough on crime" days.
#HandsOffDC
www.splcenter.org/resources/po...
#HandsOffDC
www.splcenter.org/resources/po...
Coincidental timing?
If not, this is special harassment, next level cruelty.
“Once the planes were out of earshot, she was able to continue, telling reporters how Epstein had an “eight by 10″ picture frame of Trump on his desk, and that ‘they were very close.’”
www.thedailybeast.com/trump-drowns...
If not, this is special harassment, next level cruelty.
“Once the planes were out of earshot, she was able to continue, telling reporters how Epstein had an “eight by 10″ picture frame of Trump on his desk, and that ‘they were very close.’”
www.thedailybeast.com/trump-drowns...
Trump Drowns Out Emotional Epstein Victims Rally With Noisy Flyover
The rare ceremonial flight was to honor a Polish air force pilot.
www.thedailybeast.com
September 3, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Coincidental timing?
If not, this is special harassment, next level cruelty.
“Once the planes were out of earshot, she was able to continue, telling reporters how Epstein had an “eight by 10″ picture frame of Trump on his desk, and that ‘they were very close.’”
www.thedailybeast.com/trump-drowns...
If not, this is special harassment, next level cruelty.
“Once the planes were out of earshot, she was able to continue, telling reporters how Epstein had an “eight by 10″ picture frame of Trump on his desk, and that ‘they were very close.’”
www.thedailybeast.com/trump-drowns...
This is an abject failure of leadership.
“Do not obey in advance," is a core message from Timothy Snyder's book On Tyranny
If the Mayor believes this preemptive obedience will buy the president’s favor, she has not been paying attention.
Shameful.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
“Do not obey in advance," is a core message from Timothy Snyder's book On Tyranny
If the Mayor believes this preemptive obedience will buy the president’s favor, she has not been paying attention.
Shameful.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Bowser welcomes federal law enforcement presence indefinitely
Bowser issued an executive order Tuesday requiring local coordination with federal law enforcement “to the maximum extent allowable by law.” The order gives no expiration date.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 2, 2025 at 9:37 PM
This is an abject failure of leadership.
“Do not obey in advance," is a core message from Timothy Snyder's book On Tyranny
If the Mayor believes this preemptive obedience will buy the president’s favor, she has not been paying attention.
Shameful.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
“Do not obey in advance," is a core message from Timothy Snyder's book On Tyranny
If the Mayor believes this preemptive obedience will buy the president’s favor, she has not been paying attention.
Shameful.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
In April, Trump DoJ cancelled 350 violence prevention grants, including 56 targeting #hatecrime.
“Given this horrific event, along with targeted violence toward religious organizations & threats at schools, we implore you to immediately reinstate this vital grant.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/30/u...
“Given this horrific event, along with targeted violence toward religious organizations & threats at schools, we implore you to immediately reinstate this vital grant.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/30/u...
Before Minnesota Shooting, a Program Aimed at Preventing Attacks Lost Federal Funding
www.nytimes.com
September 2, 2025 at 11:02 AM
In April, Trump DoJ cancelled 350 violence prevention grants, including 56 targeting #hatecrime.
“Given this horrific event, along with targeted violence toward religious organizations & threats at schools, we implore you to immediately reinstate this vital grant.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/30/u...
“Given this horrific event, along with targeted violence toward religious organizations & threats at schools, we implore you to immediately reinstate this vital grant.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/30/u...
“We cannot allow Trump to once again fan the flames of racism & bigotry as a distraction from his own failings & his insatiable grab for power.
Trump’s attack on Gov. Cook is groundless…another racist, hateful assault on a Black woman & the essential values of diversity, equity and inclusion.”
Trump’s attack on Gov. Cook is groundless…another racist, hateful assault on a Black woman & the essential values of diversity, equity and inclusion.”
Rather than take meaningful steps to stabilize our economy and ensure Americans can meet their basic needs, President Trump has slashed the social safety net and is attempting to paint the first Black woman to serve on the Fed's Board of Governors as a villain.
Read more: https://bit.ly/3JEiBRR
Read more: https://bit.ly/3JEiBRR
August 29, 2025 at 9:14 PM
“We cannot allow Trump to once again fan the flames of racism & bigotry as a distraction from his own failings & his insatiable grab for power.
Trump’s attack on Gov. Cook is groundless…another racist, hateful assault on a Black woman & the essential values of diversity, equity and inclusion.”
Trump’s attack on Gov. Cook is groundless…another racist, hateful assault on a Black woman & the essential values of diversity, equity and inclusion.”
“President Trump’s proposed 2026 FY budget zeroed out funding for the 3 largest hate crime prevention & training grant programs but included $3 million for these grants. In April, however, AG Pam Bondi summarily terminated New Orleans’ Emmett Till grant program.”
#Hopewatch
@splcenter.org
#Hopewatch
@splcenter.org
On Aug. 28, 1955, 14-year-old Emmett Till was abducted and brutally murdered in Mississippi after being accused of whistling at a white woman.
Till’s mother held an open casket funeral for her son, bringing worldwide attention to the plight of Black Americans. Read more: bit.ly/3JDsVJG
#Hopewatch
Till’s mother held an open casket funeral for her son, bringing worldwide attention to the plight of Black Americans. Read more: bit.ly/3JDsVJG
#Hopewatch
August 28, 2025 at 10:26 PM
“President Trump’s proposed 2026 FY budget zeroed out funding for the 3 largest hate crime prevention & training grant programs but included $3 million for these grants. In April, however, AG Pam Bondi summarily terminated New Orleans’ Emmett Till grant program.”
#Hopewatch
@splcenter.org
#Hopewatch
@splcenter.org
Just in time for the 62nd anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, my talented Learning for Justice colleagues have created activities to help young children and families make connections to American history.
@splcenter.org
www.learningforjustice.org/we-have-a-dr...
@splcenter.org
www.learningforjustice.org/we-have-a-dr...
We Have a Dream: The March on Washington
An overview of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom that includes activities to help children and families make connections to history.
www.learningforjustice.org
August 27, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Just in time for the 62nd anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, my talented Learning for Justice colleagues have created activities to help young children and families make connections to American history.
@splcenter.org
www.learningforjustice.org/we-have-a-dr...
@splcenter.org
www.learningforjustice.org/we-have-a-dr...
“as right-wing Christian nationalists supported by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth are calling for an end to women’s right to vote, it seems crucial to remember the history of the drive for women’s suffrage in the United States of America.”
open.substack.com/pub/heatherc...
open.substack.com/pub/heatherc...
The Nineteenth Amendment
Yesterday, I intended to write about the Nineteenth Amendment prohibiting states from denying women the right to vote because today is the anniversary of the amendment’s certification in 1920.
open.substack.com
August 27, 2025 at 12:00 PM
“as right-wing Christian nationalists supported by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth are calling for an end to women’s right to vote, it seems crucial to remember the history of the drive for women’s suffrage in the United States of America.”
open.substack.com/pub/heatherc...
open.substack.com/pub/heatherc...
“improbable pick to lead the effort to ‘root out anti-Semitic harassment in schools’…his penchant for media bombast made him a perfect bullhorn for the task force’s actual mission: to strong-arm colleges into stripping away any vestige of “wokeness” in their hiring, admissions, classes & research”
NEW: Trump describes Leo Terrell, head of the antisemitism task force, as a “highly respected” and “incredibly successful” attorney. Documents reveal a distinctly mixed legal track record, marred by malpractice suits and client disputes.
By @peterelkind.bsky.social & Katherine Mangan
By @peterelkind.bsky.social & Katherine Mangan
The Leader of Trump’s Assault on Higher Education Has a Troubled Legal and Financial History
Leo Terrell’s past is at odds with Trump’s description of an “incredibly successful” attorney. Documents obtained by ProPublica and The Chronicle of Higher Education reveal a trail of legal disputes a...
www.propublica.org
August 27, 2025 at 11:35 AM
“improbable pick to lead the effort to ‘root out anti-Semitic harassment in schools’…his penchant for media bombast made him a perfect bullhorn for the task force’s actual mission: to strong-arm colleges into stripping away any vestige of “wokeness” in their hiring, admissions, classes & research”