banner
LightNews
profmsinha.bsky.social
Manisha Sinha
@profmsinha.bsky.social
19K followers 790 following 2.2K posts

Past President of the Society for Historians of the Early American Republic, author most recently of The Rise and Fall of the Second American Republic, Draper Chair at UConn

Videos

Manisha Sinha is an Indian-born American historian, and the James L. and Shirley A. Draper Chair in American History at the University of Connecticut. She is the author of The Slave's Cause: A History of Abolition (2016) and The Rise and Fall of the Second American Republic: Reconstruction, 1860-1920 (2024). .. more

Political science 49%
Sociology 20%
Posts Media Videos Starter Packs
Pinned
profmsinha.bsky.social
Manisha Sinha @profmsinha.bsky.social · Apr 11
Historian here posting for no reason at all.

U.S. Constitution, Article II Section 4:

"The President, Vice President and all civil officers of the United States, shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors."
390 2.8K 8.3K

profmsinha.bsky.social
Manisha Sinha @profmsinha.bsky.social · 33m
I would have to restrain myself!

Reposted by Nandita Sharma, Jonathan A. Eisen, Robbert Sanderman , and 10 more

cmgiulini.bsky.social
Lynn Becker @cmgiulini.bsky.social · 10h
After spending 43 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit, evidence hidden by the prosecution reversed his conviction. Rather than finally enjoying freedom, ICE abducted him for deportation

Depraved.

www.miamiherald.com/news/local/i...
He was wrongfully imprisoned for 43 years. Moments after being released, ICE took him
Subramanyam “Subu” Vedam now faces deportation.
www.miamiherald.com
460 5.3K 10K

Reposted by Richard S.J. Tol, Shelly Lundberg, Ann Bartow , and 2 more

warren.senate.gov
Elizabeth Warren @warren.senate.gov · 20h
After Trump got his Covid shot, he chose to fire the scientists protecting the rest of us from diseases.
92 1.3K 3.1K

profmsinha.bsky.social
Manisha Sinha @profmsinha.bsky.social · 20h
A dog killer in my book is just the pits!
2

Reposted by Anna O. Law, Will Jennings, Adam Bonica , and 5 more

debpearlstein.bsky.social
Deborah Pearlstein @debpearlstein.bsky.social · 22h
Of all the news in this NYT survey of sitting federal judges - incl 47 of them think the SCt is mishandling its emergency docket - maybe the biggest is that 65 sitting fed judges (37D, 28R), folks circumspect for a living, responded to a NYT survey. Stunning. And a sign that something is very wrong.
Federal Judges, Warning of ‘Judicial Crisis,’ Fault Supreme Court’s Emergency Orders
www.nytimes.com
10 250 740

profmsinha.bsky.social
Manisha Sinha @profmsinha.bsky.social · 23h
To me too!
3

profmsinha.bsky.social
Manisha Sinha @profmsinha.bsky.social · 1d
A picture is worth a thousand words
8 20 77

Reposted by Manisha Sinha

pgourevitch.bsky.social
Philip Gourevitch @pgourevitch.bsky.social · 1d
today in the annals of torture and barbarism:

Hours after President Trump took over, he ordered the life sentences of these men be made, in effect, a living hell.

www.wsj.com/us-news/law/...
Biden Spared 37 Killers From Execution. Trump Ordered Up a Lifetime of Torment.
Even America’s harshest federal prison, where inmates spend 23 hours a day in solitary confinement, was too good, one official said. “I’ve got no problem with gruel.”
www.wsj.com
2 16 45

Reposted by Manisha Sinha

atherton.bsky.social
Kelsey Atherton @atherton.bsky.social · 1d
If SCOTUS were not also simply an organ of Trumpist rule, Voughts entire vast papertail of "I hate the government and will break laws to destroy it" would make these layoffs illegal & the workers could rightfully expect court to rule in their favor. Unfortunately, SCOTUS

www.cnn.com/2025/10/10/p...
Trump administration lays off thousands of federal workers during government shutdown | CNN Politics
More than 4,000 federal employees received layoff notices Friday as part of the Trump administration’s broad effort to reshape the government while it remains shutdown, according to a court filing Fri...
www.cnn.com
4 65 200

profmsinha.bsky.social
Manisha Sinha @profmsinha.bsky.social · 1d
The entire world was thrilled that he was simply elected!
1

Reposted by Mark A. Lemley, Joe R. Feagin, Rosemary A. Joyce , and 8 more

newrepublic.com
The New Republic @newrepublic.com · 1d
His slip of the tongue reveals who’s really in charge. trib.al/mIvP0yE

“Illinois governor says we’re provoking actions that are unlawful,” Miller said on CNN. “If I put federal law enforcement and National Guard into a nice sleepy Southern town, is anyone gonna riot?”
1.6K 7.9K 20K

Reposted by Steve Peers, Rosemary A. Joyce, Manisha Sinha

stephenwest.bsky.social
Stephen West @stephenwest.bsky.social · 1d
Counterpoint:

You absolutely do not have to hand it to enslavers
Wilson: Now, one of the things I want to do is say: I’m really glad that slavery’s gone, and good riddance. And I want to say that the Southern slave owner, who read the books of Ephesians and Colossians and 1 Timothy and treated his slaves decently, remembering that he had a master in heaven who he studiously tried to obey — what Paul said slave owners were supposed to do — I would say he was not an orc, and he is part of the reason why slavery ended. In other words, I would say he’s a good guy.
64 230 1.6K

Reposted by Richard Price, Manisha Sinha

hannahgais.bsky.social
hannah gais @hannahgais.bsky.social · 1d
Those are three people in inflatable frog suits.
@MrAndyNgo Now that the local and national press have started to cover the Portland ICE area round-the-clock in reaction to the President, Antifa have devised a plan where they are encouraging one another to come in animal costumes. The costumes serve the function of masking the violent extremism to make the direct action appear like a family-friendly gathering on camera, and to whitewash the past ultraviolence. In 2019, Antifa devised a similar plot by giving out free "milkshakes" at a protest. But they couldn't contain their bloodthirst and nearly killed me when they saw me. In 2020, they mobilized a fake "Wall of Moms" where female Antifa supporters and members wore yellow shirts to act as human body shields while violent rioters behind them hurled projectile weapons. photo of three people in inflatable frog costumes
410 660 4.5K

Reposted by Manisha Sinha, Nathan P. Kalmoe

thegatesofmel.blacksky.app
Mel @thegatesofmel.blacksky.app · 1d
Calling these things “mistakes” is disingenuous and lazy. A 45 year old fragrance in a bottle that is scented like the fucking fragrance is not a damn drug and everyone knows that. www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-a...
Indian immigrant fights deportation after police mistake perfume labeled 'Opium' for the narcotic
Kapil Raghu, 28, was arrested in May after an officer in central Arkansas spotted the rollerball perfume bottle in his car during a routine traffic stop.
www.nbcnews.com
24 300 970

Reposted by Tom Clark, Rosemary A. Joyce, Anders Nilsson , and 5 more

mjsdc.bsky.social
Mark Joseph Stern @mjsdc.bsky.social · 1d
This arrest appears to be in direct violation of a temporary restraining order prohibiting DHS officers from arresting journalists. The officers here may well be subject to contempt of court. protectdemocracy.org/wp-content/u...
It is hereby ORDERED that Defendants,' their officers, agents, assigns, and all persons acting in concert with them (hereafter referred to as "Federal Agents"), are temporarily ENJOINED in this judicial district from: a. Dispersing, arresting, threatening to arrest, threatening or using physical force against any person whom they know or reasonably should know is a Journalist, unless Defendants have probable cause to believe that the individual has committed a crime.
110 1.3K 3.2K

Reposted by Nandita Sharma, Paul R. Bierman, John McLaren , and 13 more

heartlandsignal.bsky.social
Heartland Signal @heartlandsignal.bsky.social · 1d
BREAKING: Masked Border Patrol agents aggressively arrested WGN video producer Debbie Brockman in Lincoln Square Friday morning, supposedly for "obstructing justice." (Video via Josh Thomas on Facebook)

Follow @heartlandsignal for more.
1.4K 8.4K 15K

Reposted by Manisha Sinha

ericcolumbus.bsky.social
Eric Columbus @ericcolumbus.bsky.social · 1d
OMB head Russ Vought says RIFs have begun. In litigation challenging OMB's ability to RIF during a shutdown, OMB must provide more details by 3pm PT/ 6pm ET.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Russ Vought @russvought The RIFs have begun. The Court hereby ORDERS defendants to file a response to the motion for a TRO no later than October 10, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. PDT. In their response, defendants SHALL address: (1) the status of any currently planned or in-progress RIF notices to be issued during/because of the government shutdown, including the earliest date that those RIF notices will go out; (2) which of the defendant agencies anticipate issuing RIF notices during/because of the government shutdown and the estimated number of employees at the defendant agency who will receive such RIF notices; and (3) whether any employees at the defendant agencies have been ordered back to work during the government shutdown in order to effectuate the issuance of RIF notices. Defendants shall provide evidence (declarations, exhibits, etc.) in support of the above information.
2 70 140

Reposted by Rebecca Solnit, Henry Jones, Manisha Sinha

cwebbonline.com
Christopher Webb @cwebbonline.com · 1d
Federal agents aren’t trying to keep the peace. They want violence to escalate so that Trump can declare martial law.

They shot a reverend in the head with pepper balls while he was praying in front of an ICE facility. If that doesn’t tell you where we are as a country, nothing will.
230 3.1K 6.4K

Reposted by Aaron Sojourner, Nazita Lajevardi, Manisha Sinha

roadie63.bsky.social
TheRoadie. @roadie63.bsky.social · 1d
I just watched the video of the Portland Cop threatening to arrest an ICE agent if they drive their truck through a crowd. Now I see this where the General of the Oregon National Guard says if they get called up they will protect the protesters. People are fed up.
www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...
Oregon general’s testimony that National Guard troops ‘will be protecting any protesters’ gains traction online
Brigadier General Alan R. Gronewold made the comments to state lawmakers Sept. 30, and they drew notice on social media this week.
www.oregonlive.com
290 2.8K 9.7K

Reposted by Scott L. Greer, Christian E. Weller, Daniel W. Drezner , and 7 more

bbkogan.bsky.social
Bobby Kogan @bbkogan.bsky.social · 1d
Three key points:
1) The admin has been planning mass firings to begin in October since February
2) The work necessary to carry out mass firings is illegal during a shutdown, violating the Antideficiency Act, which carries a criminal penalty
3) This harms America, ridding us of talent and expertise
Russ Vought v @russvought The RIFs have begun. 12:27 PM • 10/10/25 • 15K Views
230 2.4K 6.2K

Reposted by Steven Heydemann, Blair Fix, Manisha Sinha

leahgreenberg.bsky.social
Leah Greenberg ❌👑 @leahgreenberg.bsky.social · 1d
"After a few moments of laughter, the No Kings Coalition issued the following statement"
67 960 2.8K

Reposted by Robert W. Wallace, Manisha Sinha, Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò

prisonculture.bsky.social
Prisonculture @prisonculture.bsky.social · 1d
They are not planning "a violent crackdown" on 10.18. What they are doing is sending a signal to their shock troops to try to cause havoc. But those shock troops will be vastly outnumbered. Go out and protest freely. Do not be cowed.
23 1.3K 3.9K

Reposted by Anna O. Law, Matthew Bodie, Manisha Sinha

heidikitrosser.bsky.social
Heidi Kitrosser @heidikitrosser.bsky.social · 1d
From Harvard & UConn researchers on the June 14th No Kings Day protests. (report came out in August)

THIS is why MAGA is so spooked by the upcoming (Oct 18th) peaceful protests.

New data shows No Kings was one of the largest days of protest in US history wagingnonviolence.org/2025/08/new-...
New data shows No Kings was one of the largest days of protest in US history
The historic number of No Kings protesters and their expansive geographic spread are signs of a growing and durable pro-democracy movement.
wagingnonviolence.org
12 220 620

Reposted by Brendan Nyhan, Michael A. Clemens, David Rothschild , and 8 more

atrupar.com
Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 1d
Sen. Roger Marshall: "October 18 is when the protest gets here. This will be a Soros paid-for protest for his professional protesters. The agitators show up. We'll have to get the National Guard out. Hopefully it will be peaceful. I doubt it."
1K 330 1.4K

profmsinha.bsky.social
Manisha Sinha @profmsinha.bsky.social · 1d
And I have discussed both the Summary View and Jefferson’s draft in #theslavescause
3

Reposted by Robert B. Reich, Manisha Sinha

moreperfectunion.bsky.social
More Perfect Union @moreperfectunion.bsky.social · 1d
Corporate income taxes are $77 billion lower than last year, primarily due to the Republican tax cuts for the rich.

itep.org/trump-tax-la...
Well, That Was Fast: Trump Tax Law’s New Corporate Breaks are Already Worsening the Deficit
Corporate income taxes for the fiscal year that ended in September are $77 billion lower than in the previous year, a 15 percent drop.
itep.org
18 360 730

Reposted by Joanne Spetz, Erol Akçay, Manisha Sinha

chanda.blacksky.app
Chanda Prescod-Weinstein 🌌 @chanda.blacksky.app · 1d
MIT President Sally Kornbluth just issued a statement to the campus community saying NO to Trump’s authoritarian compact

“And fundamentally, the premise of the document is inconsistent with our core belief that scientific funding should be based on scientific merit alone.”
Dear Madam Secretary, I write in response to your letter of October 1, inviting MIT to review a "Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education." I acknowledge the vital importance of these matters. I appreciated the chance to meet with you earlier this year to discuss the priorities we share for American higher education. As we discussed, the Institute's mission of service to the nation directs us to advance knowledge, educate students and bring knowledge to bear on the world's great challenges. We do that in line with a clear set of values, with excellence above all. Some practical examples: • MIT prides itself on rewarding merit. Students, faculty and staff succeed here based on the strength of their talent, ideas and hard work. For instance, the Institute was the first to reinstate the SAT/ACT requirement after the pandemic. And MIT has never had legacy preferences in admissions. • MIT opens its doors to the most talented students regardless of their family's finances. Admissions are need-blind. Incoming undergraduates whose families earn less than $200,000 a year pay no tuition. Nearly 88% of our last graduating class left MIT with no debt for their education. We make a wealth of free courses and low-cost certificates available to any American with an internet connection. Of the undergraduate degrees we award, 94% are in STEM fields. And in service to the nation, we cap enrollment of international undergraduates at roughly 10%. • We value free expression, as clearly described in the MIT Statement on Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom. We must hear facts and opinions we don't like - and engage respectfully with those with whom we disagree. These values and other MIT practices meet or exceed many standards outlined in the document you sent. We freely choose these values because they're right, and we live by them because they support our mission - work of immense value to the prosperity, competitiveness, health and security of the United States. And of course, MIT abides by the law. The document also includes principles with which we disagree, including those that would restrict freedom of expression and our independence as an institution. And fundamentally, the premise of the document is inconsistent with our core belief that scientific funding should be based on scientific merit alone. In our view, America's leadership in science and innovation depends on independent thinking and open competition for excellence. In that tree marketplace of ideas, the people of MIT gladly compete with the very best, without preferences. Therefore, with respect, we cannot support the proposed approach to addressing the issues facing higher education. As you know, MIT's record of service to the nation is long and enduring. Eight decades ago, MIT leaders helped invent a scientific partnership between America's research universities and the U.S. government that has delivered extraordinary benefits for the American people. We continue to believe in the power of this partnership to serve the nation. Sincerely, Sally Kornbluth CC Ms. May Mailman Mr. Vincent Haley
4 130 430

profmsinha.bsky.social
Manisha Sinha @profmsinha.bsky.social · 1d
Posting this for no reason whatsoever today. I mean Trump is like Maduro so congratulations 🎊 to Machado!
2 3 37

Reposted by Jacob T. Levy, Manisha Sinha, Nathan P. Kalmoe

laurajedeed.bsky.social
Laura Jedeed @laurajedeed.bsky.social · 2d
This video is everywhere because it's a hilarious visual refutation of Portland being on fire. You can't get a mass movement going without convincing the masses

so yes, this does do something actually
Post Dallas Steele @Cherrykickstart Follow This literally does nothing. You are not beating fascism by dressing up in inflatable suits and dancing Quote tweeting Claude Taylor @TrueFactsStated Follow | Portland is leading the way. This is how you (non violently) beat Fascism. Humor and ridicule are key. Stillframe from a video of Portland protesters dancing in inflatable suits 9:17 AM 08 Oct 25 758K Views 13:01 09 Oct 25 32.6K Views 88 Reposts 11 Quotes 1,049 Likes
150 790 4.3K

Reposted by Mark Rice, Manisha Sinha

carlquintanilla.bsky.social
Carl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 2d
Three @wsj.com headlines from the past three days. 👀
63 530 1.6K