Chelsea Burns
@burnschelsea.bsky.social
accordionist, music theorist. Austin, TX. I like to ride my bicycle.
Pinned
I'm so pleased to finally have this book in my hot little hands! You, too, can have this feeling—for 30% off!—with code AUFLY30 at global.oup.com/academic. Want to try before you buy? You can read the Intro for free at this link (available until October 30): academic.oup.com/book/60725/c...
Reposted by Chelsea Burns
After becoming a congressional leader, a politician’s stock portfolio beats out those of peers by 47 (!!!) percentage points a year through trades timed around bills and firms that later get government contracts
www.nber.org/papers/w34524
via @florianederer.bsky.social
www.nber.org/papers/w34524
via @florianederer.bsky.social
December 3, 2025 at 1:42 AM
After becoming a congressional leader, a politician’s stock portfolio beats out those of peers by 47 (!!!) percentage points a year through trades timed around bills and firms that later get government contracts
www.nber.org/papers/w34524
via @florianederer.bsky.social
www.nber.org/papers/w34524
via @florianederer.bsky.social
Reposted by Chelsea Burns
Were this 17-point swing to occur uniformly in every Congressional district as now drawn, the result would be approximately 264 D seats, 171 R seats, a 51-seat shift. TX gerrymandering gains would be limited to 2 seats; NC/MO, backfire.
Not to say this will happen, just to illustrate the impact.
Not to say this will happen, just to illustrate the impact.
December 3, 2025 at 2:48 AM
Were this 17-point swing to occur uniformly in every Congressional district as now drawn, the result would be approximately 264 D seats, 171 R seats, a 51-seat shift. TX gerrymandering gains would be limited to 2 seats; NC/MO, backfire.
Not to say this will happen, just to illustrate the impact.
Not to say this will happen, just to illustrate the impact.
Reposted by Chelsea Burns
Judge Howell's decision begins by clarifying a piece of constant misinformation coming out of the Trump admin: "[V]iewing all immigrants potentially subject to removal as criminals is, as a legal matter, plain wrong."
![Consequently, viewing all immigrants
potentially subject to removal as criminals is, as a legal matter, plain wrong. Second, immigration
policy is indisputably important and “can affect trade, investment, tourism, and diplomatic
relations for the entire Nation, as well as the perceptions and expectations of aliens in this country
who seek the full protection of its laws.” Arizona, 567 U.S. at 395 (citing
Harisiades v. Shaughnessy, 342 U.S. 580, 588-589 (1952)). Treating all immigrants potentially
subject to removal as if they were criminals highlights the Supreme Court’s wise caution that
“[p]erceived mistreatment of aliens in the United States may lead to harmful reciprocal treatment
of American citizens abroad.” Id.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2vtbmhmrwzbqcfv4we4uxzzt/bafkreide72g5jbeaiorowmo2bvwqusjnrzzzybgfdbpn4hem3ad3xzcnoi@jpeg)
December 3, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Judge Howell's decision begins by clarifying a piece of constant misinformation coming out of the Trump admin: "[V]iewing all immigrants potentially subject to removal as criminals is, as a legal matter, plain wrong."
Reposted by Chelsea Burns
Last week, ICE arrested and separated a father and son after a routine check-in. Six-year-old Yuanxin had just enrolled in the first grade at an elementary school in Astoria. Now he's in custody, alone. ICE won't say where. This cruelty serves no one. It must end.
December 2, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Last week, ICE arrested and separated a father and son after a routine check-in. Six-year-old Yuanxin had just enrolled in the first grade at an elementary school in Astoria. Now he's in custody, alone. ICE won't say where. This cruelty serves no one. It must end.
Reposted by Chelsea Burns
1. WE GET RELATIVELY LITTLE DRUGS FROM VENEZUELA and they DON'T PRODUCE FENTANYL
2. Attacking these boats in the first place was an illegal act
3. The murder of the survivors is even more disgusting
4. The administration is trying to USE DRUGS to MANUFACTURE CONSENT for a Venezuelan conflict
2. Attacking these boats in the first place was an illegal act
3. The murder of the survivors is even more disgusting
4. The administration is trying to USE DRUGS to MANUFACTURE CONSENT for a Venezuelan conflict
A note of caution about the new GOP vow of oversight on the murder of the two men clinging to the boat. It's good to see, but it could become a backdoor way for Rs to defuse pressure for broader scrutiny.
The entire operation is illegal. It all needs oversight. 1/
newrepublic.com/article/2037...
The entire operation is illegal. It all needs oversight. 1/
newrepublic.com/article/2037...
December 2, 2025 at 7:43 PM
1. WE GET RELATIVELY LITTLE DRUGS FROM VENEZUELA and they DON'T PRODUCE FENTANYL
2. Attacking these boats in the first place was an illegal act
3. The murder of the survivors is even more disgusting
4. The administration is trying to USE DRUGS to MANUFACTURE CONSENT for a Venezuelan conflict
2. Attacking these boats in the first place was an illegal act
3. The murder of the survivors is even more disgusting
4. The administration is trying to USE DRUGS to MANUFACTURE CONSENT for a Venezuelan conflict
Same—subscription dollars well spent!
December 3, 2025 at 3:27 AM
Same—subscription dollars well spent!
Reposted by Chelsea Burns
Meet the new Deputy Chief of Staff at the CDC.
December 3, 2025 at 2:14 AM
Meet the new Deputy Chief of Staff at the CDC.
Reposted by Chelsea Burns
Democrats fail to flip TN 7, but it's another big overperformance
Blue shift of ~14 pts, which is nearly on par with shifts in other U.S. House specials this year
Ds hit vote target in Nashville, but more rural counties didn't shift as much
Turnout notable: ~180K total votes, matching '22 midterm
Blue shift of ~14 pts, which is nearly on par with shifts in other U.S. House specials this year
Ds hit vote target in Nashville, but more rural counties didn't shift as much
Turnout notable: ~180K total votes, matching '22 midterm
December 3, 2025 at 3:07 AM
Democrats fail to flip TN 7, but it's another big overperformance
Blue shift of ~14 pts, which is nearly on par with shifts in other U.S. House specials this year
Ds hit vote target in Nashville, but more rural counties didn't shift as much
Turnout notable: ~180K total votes, matching '22 midterm
Blue shift of ~14 pts, which is nearly on par with shifts in other U.S. House specials this year
Ds hit vote target in Nashville, but more rural counties didn't shift as much
Turnout notable: ~180K total votes, matching '22 midterm
Reposted by Chelsea Burns
TN07 is a story about gerrymandering: the GOP cracked Nashville into 3 districts when it redrew the 2022 map, destroying the Dem seat there.
Fast-forward: a section of Nashville, which just 5 years ago had a Dem representative, is now voting Dem by huge margins but it's been designed to not matter.
Fast-forward: a section of Nashville, which just 5 years ago had a Dem representative, is now voting Dem by huge margins but it's been designed to not matter.
December 3, 2025 at 2:14 AM
TN07 is a story about gerrymandering: the GOP cracked Nashville into 3 districts when it redrew the 2022 map, destroying the Dem seat there.
Fast-forward: a section of Nashville, which just 5 years ago had a Dem representative, is now voting Dem by huge margins but it's been designed to not matter.
Fast-forward: a section of Nashville, which just 5 years ago had a Dem representative, is now voting Dem by huge margins but it's been designed to not matter.
Reposted by Chelsea Burns
Actually, the likelihood is 100%. In US jurisprudence, accused people are innocent until proven guilty. Hegseth's victims were not proven guilty; they were not even tried. Therefore they were ALL, to the last man, legally innocent. Hegseth ordered the murders of several dozen innocent men.
Rand Paul just posted this letter from the Coast Guard confirming that 1/4 of the boats they stop carry no contraband. The likelihood that Hegseth & Bradley ordered the murder of innocent civilians is very high.
December 3, 2025 at 2:40 AM
Actually, the likelihood is 100%. In US jurisprudence, accused people are innocent until proven guilty. Hegseth's victims were not proven guilty; they were not even tried. Therefore they were ALL, to the last man, legally innocent. Hegseth ordered the murders of several dozen innocent men.
Reposted by Chelsea Burns
the single tap was also bad!
December 3, 2025 at 3:12 AM
the single tap was also bad!
Reposted by Chelsea Burns
There are 75,977 people born in Somalia who are now citizens of the United States, including those specific people.
He is talking about US citizens. He is talking about *us*.
The truth is that none of us are garbage, and the job of the US president is to represent all of us.
We, the people.
He is talking about US citizens. He is talking about *us*.
The truth is that none of us are garbage, and the job of the US president is to represent all of us.
We, the people.
Trump on Somalis: "We're gonna go the wrong way if we keep taking in garbage into our country. Ilhan Omar is garbage. She's garbage. Her friends are garbage."
December 2, 2025 at 8:00 PM
There are 75,977 people born in Somalia who are now citizens of the United States, including those specific people.
He is talking about US citizens. He is talking about *us*.
The truth is that none of us are garbage, and the job of the US president is to represent all of us.
We, the people.
He is talking about US citizens. He is talking about *us*.
The truth is that none of us are garbage, and the job of the US president is to represent all of us.
We, the people.
Reposted by Chelsea Burns
FDOT has lied brazenly about any service that helps people in cities and SunRunner in particular was an incredible success as anyone who ever used it could tell you
WOW: It appears that the Florida Department of Transportation and state Republicans used a flawed study to illegally dismantle dedicated bus lanes along a federally funded BRT project that was completed on time and under budget
www.tampabay.com/news/transpo...
www.tampabay.com/news/transpo...
FDOT study used to scrap SunRunner lane ‘incomplete,’ ‘unfair’, experts say
The dedicated bus lane on Pasadena Avenue was removed after the state said there was a rise in crashes.
www.tampabay.com
December 2, 2025 at 9:10 PM
FDOT has lied brazenly about any service that helps people in cities and SunRunner in particular was an incredible success as anyone who ever used it could tell you
Reposted by Chelsea Burns
are you all about Tennessee tonight?
here are three other elections you should keep an eye on:
1️⃣ a flip opportunity for Dems in Georgia:
here are three other elections you should keep an eye on:
1️⃣ a flip opportunity for Dems in Georgia:
Here's one office Dems could flip on Tuesday.
(No, it's not in TN!)
The Republican mayor of Roswell, a Georgia city of 90K, finished just one percentage point ahead of his Dem challenger on November 4. The runoff is in a few days.
One of my Dec elections to watch: boltsmag.org/whats-on-the...
(No, it's not in TN!)
The Republican mayor of Roswell, a Georgia city of 90K, finished just one percentage point ahead of his Dem challenger on November 4. The runoff is in a few days.
One of my Dec elections to watch: boltsmag.org/whats-on-the...
December 2, 2025 at 9:12 PM
are you all about Tennessee tonight?
here are three other elections you should keep an eye on:
1️⃣ a flip opportunity for Dems in Georgia:
here are three other elections you should keep an eye on:
1️⃣ a flip opportunity for Dems in Georgia:
Reposted by Chelsea Burns
Trump dozes while Marco Rubio speaks to him directly next to him. Just insane optics.
December 2, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Trump dozes while Marco Rubio speaks to him directly next to him. Just insane optics.
Reposted by Chelsea Burns
‼️‼️
"Over the year, bike and scooter share carried about 60% as many trips as the state’s $2.15 billion SR-99 highway tunnel under downtown Seattle. During summer months, that number may have been more like 80%."
"Over the year, bike and scooter share carried about 60% as many trips as the state’s $2.15 billion SR-99 highway tunnel under downtown Seattle. During summer months, that number may have been more like 80%."
Tuesday: Community Council forum on 'scooter public safety' + It's time to take bike and scooter share seriously
#SEAbikes #Seattle
#SEAbikes #Seattle
Tuesday: Community Council forum on ‘scooter public safety’ + It’s time to take bike and scooter share seriously
Seattle was the first major and lasting launch city for Lime back in July 2017, and the city has continued to be one of the company's strongest markets globally. In the last year (November 2024 through November 2025), Lime and Bird reported an astounding 10.3 million trips in Seattle, according to SDOT's data dashboard (96% of those trips were on Lime).
www.seattlebikeblog.com
December 2, 2025 at 2:06 AM
‼️‼️
"Over the year, bike and scooter share carried about 60% as many trips as the state’s $2.15 billion SR-99 highway tunnel under downtown Seattle. During summer months, that number may have been more like 80%."
"Over the year, bike and scooter share carried about 60% as many trips as the state’s $2.15 billion SR-99 highway tunnel under downtown Seattle. During summer months, that number may have been more like 80%."
Reposted by Chelsea Burns
MTV deja de transmitir en toda Latinoamérica el 1ro de enero... wow
December 1, 2025 at 10:58 PM
MTV deja de transmitir en toda Latinoamérica el 1ro de enero... wow
Reposted by Chelsea Burns
Home Depot wanted holiday cheer, got a whole-ass choir calling out their partnership with ICE instead…
November 29, 2025 at 6:18 AM
Home Depot wanted holiday cheer, got a whole-ass choir calling out their partnership with ICE instead…
Reposted by Chelsea Burns
Earlier this year, we documented nearly 50 incidents of immigration officers shattering car windows to make arrests — a tactic experts say was rarely used before Trump took office.
ICE claims its officers use a “minimum amount of force.”
You can judge for yourself.
ICE claims its officers use a “minimum amount of force.”
You can judge for yourself.
“We’ll Smash the Fucking Window Out and Drag Him Out”
We’ve documented nearly 50 incidents of immigration officers shattering car windows to make arrests — a tactic experts say was rarely used before Trump took office. ICE claims its officers use a “mini...
projects.propublica.org
December 1, 2025 at 4:00 AM
Earlier this year, we documented nearly 50 incidents of immigration officers shattering car windows to make arrests — a tactic experts say was rarely used before Trump took office.
ICE claims its officers use a “minimum amount of force.”
You can judge for yourself.
ICE claims its officers use a “minimum amount of force.”
You can judge for yourself.
Reposted by Chelsea Burns
Former US military lawyers speak out:
"The Former JAGs Working Group unanimously considers both the giving and the execution of these orders, if true, to constitute war crimes, murder, or both."
Statement on Media Reports of Pentagon “No Quarter” Orders in Caribbean Boat Strikes
1/2
"The Former JAGs Working Group unanimously considers both the giving and the execution of these orders, if true, to constitute war crimes, murder, or both."
Statement on Media Reports of Pentagon “No Quarter” Orders in Caribbean Boat Strikes
1/2
November 29, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Former US military lawyers speak out:
"The Former JAGs Working Group unanimously considers both the giving and the execution of these orders, if true, to constitute war crimes, murder, or both."
Statement on Media Reports of Pentagon “No Quarter” Orders in Caribbean Boat Strikes
1/2
"The Former JAGs Working Group unanimously considers both the giving and the execution of these orders, if true, to constitute war crimes, murder, or both."
Statement on Media Reports of Pentagon “No Quarter” Orders in Caribbean Boat Strikes
1/2
Reposted by Chelsea Burns
"The Trumps’ most natural allies – first in business, now also in politics – have long been the rulers of the Gulf’s petro-monarchies, who see no distinction between their states’ interests and their families’." www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
All the president’s millions: how the Trumps are turning the presidency into riches
From Vietnam to the Balkans, Donald Trump’s family has launched a global dealmaking blitz since his re-election
www.theguardian.com
December 1, 2025 at 4:03 AM
"The Trumps’ most natural allies – first in business, now also in politics – have long been the rulers of the Gulf’s petro-monarchies, who see no distinction between their states’ interests and their families’." www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
Reposted by Chelsea Burns
consider supporting @bostonreview.bsky.social ! no paywalls, no ads, it's so important, and it's currently 50% off
bsky.app/profile/bost...
bsky.app/profile/bost...
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Just use code BF50 at checkout.
bostonreview.net/memberships
Just use code BF50 at checkout.
bostonreview.net/memberships
November 26, 2025 at 9:59 PM
consider supporting @bostonreview.bsky.social ! no paywalls, no ads, it's so important, and it's currently 50% off
bsky.app/profile/bost...
bsky.app/profile/bost...
Reposted by Chelsea Burns
LSU is paying its previous football coach over $50 million NOT to coach there while likely guaranteeing Kiffin something approaching double that, all while having an academic hiring freeze and budget cuts across the board. What is the purpose of a university (rhetorical)?
SOURCES: Lane Kiffin is expected to accept LSU's offer to become the Tigers next head coach. Kiffin is set to meet with his Ole Miss team this morning at 9 AM CT. As we reported yesterday morning, LSU has been very confident it was going to land Kiffin. www.nytimes.com/athletic/684...
Lane Kiffin expected to take LSU job as Ole Miss sets team meeting: Source
www.nytimes.com
November 30, 2025 at 2:06 PM
LSU is paying its previous football coach over $50 million NOT to coach there while likely guaranteeing Kiffin something approaching double that, all while having an academic hiring freeze and budget cuts across the board. What is the purpose of a university (rhetorical)?
Reposted by Chelsea Burns
don't miss Lauren's big story from right before Thanksgiving:
After Biden commuted the sentences of 37 men on federal death row last year, the Trump administration is retaliating by sending them to the supermax. Prisoners are locked in cells smaller than a parking space 22-24 hours a day.
One prisoner told me he fears he won't make it out alive.
My latest:
One prisoner told me he fears he won't make it out alive.
My latest:
Death Row Prisoners Granted Clemency by Biden Brace for "Living Hell" Under Trump - Bolts
Trump officials are retaliating by imposing the harshest conditions in the entire federal prison system, including near total isolation.
boltsmag.org
November 30, 2025 at 3:23 AM
don't miss Lauren's big story from right before Thanksgiving:
Reposted by Chelsea Burns
Workers at the drinking water plant in Louisville, Ky. saw a sudden spike in the level of a 'forever chemical.' They traced it up the Ohio River to a factory embroiled in a pollution lawsuit. n.pr/3M80fdi
More cities are seeing PFAS pollution in drinking water. Here's what Louisville found
Workers at the drinking water plant in Louisville, Ky. saw a sudden spike in the level of a 'forever chemical.' They traced it up the Ohio River to a factory embroiled in a pollution lawsuit.
n.pr
November 30, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Workers at the drinking water plant in Louisville, Ky. saw a sudden spike in the level of a 'forever chemical.' They traced it up the Ohio River to a factory embroiled in a pollution lawsuit. n.pr/3M80fdi