E.J. Fagan
@ejfagan.com
Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Illinois Chicago. Author of The Thinkers: The Rise of Partisan Think Tanks and the Polarization of American Politics. Also, baseball.
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E.J. Fagan
@ejfagan.com
· Nov 18
The Thinkers: The Rise of Partisan Think Tanks and the Polarization of American Politics (Studies in Postwar American Political Development): Fagan, E.J.: 9780197759660: Amazon.com: Books
The Thinkers: The Rise of Partisan Think Tanks and the Polarization of American Politics (Studies in Postwar American Political Development) [Fagan, E.J.] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Thinkers: The Rise of Partisan Think Tanks and the Polarization of American Politics (Studies in Postwar American Political Development)
www.amazon.com
Hello new Bluesky followers!
I study U.S. politics and policymaking, focusing on the politicization of expertise and information processing.
I published a great book this summer. It's called The Thinkers: The Rise of Partisan Think Tanks and the Polarization of American Politics. Check it out!
I study U.S. politics and policymaking, focusing on the politicization of expertise and information processing.
I published a great book this summer. It's called The Thinkers: The Rise of Partisan Think Tanks and the Polarization of American Politics. Check it out!
Reposted by E.J. Fagan
Email from Jeffrey Epstein: "supposedly a girl said that donal= had sex with her at my house when she was underage.. =C2 . she said she has a witness. in 1993"
January 30, 2026 at 7:32 PM
Email from Jeffrey Epstein: "supposedly a girl said that donal= had sex with her at my house when she was underage.. =C2 . she said she has a witness. in 1993"
Reposted by E.J. Fagan
During a DHS shutdown, ICE and CBP continue to operate, but we begin to use up their slush fund from OBBBA. We also aren't stuck w/ a Sophie's Choice situation where SSI and Section 8 hang in the balance. It's a place of maximum (albeit still weak) leverage.
We must ensure Dems do not squander it.
We must ensure Dems do not squander it.
January 30, 2026 at 8:59 PM
During a DHS shutdown, ICE and CBP continue to operate, but we begin to use up their slush fund from OBBBA. We also aren't stuck w/ a Sophie's Choice situation where SSI and Section 8 hang in the balance. It's a place of maximum (albeit still weak) leverage.
We must ensure Dems do not squander it.
We must ensure Dems do not squander it.
Reposted by E.J. Fagan
We're looking at a 6-bill shutdown that likely lasts until Monday unless the House descends into chaos.
Upon enactment, all of the govt EXCEPT DHS will have full-year funding. DHS funding expires February 14 (tho ICE & CBP continue in a DHS shutdown). At that point, we will be fighting JUST on DHS.
Upon enactment, all of the govt EXCEPT DHS will have full-year funding. DHS funding expires February 14 (tho ICE & CBP continue in a DHS shutdown). At that point, we will be fighting JUST on DHS.
Graham lifting his blockade paves the way for the Senate to start voting. The package (5/6 full appropriations bills plus a 2-week DHS CR) is on track to pass today.
January 30, 2026 at 8:56 PM
We're looking at a 6-bill shutdown that likely lasts until Monday unless the House descends into chaos.
Upon enactment, all of the govt EXCEPT DHS will have full-year funding. DHS funding expires February 14 (tho ICE & CBP continue in a DHS shutdown). At that point, we will be fighting JUST on DHS.
Upon enactment, all of the govt EXCEPT DHS will have full-year funding. DHS funding expires February 14 (tho ICE & CBP continue in a DHS shutdown). At that point, we will be fighting JUST on DHS.
Minnesota is bad enough that they want us to talk about Epstein.
* U.S. DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL BLANCHE: TODAY WE ARE PRODUCING MORE THAN 3 MILLION PAGES, INCLUDING 2000 VIDEOS AND 180,000 IMAGES RELATED TO EPSTEIN
* U.S. DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL BLANCHE: THESE INCLUDE LARGE QUANTITIES OF COMMERCIAL PORNOGRAPHY AND IMAGES SEIZED FROM EPSTEIN'S DEVICES
* U.S. DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL BLANCHE: THESE INCLUDE LARGE QUANTITIES OF COMMERCIAL PORNOGRAPHY AND IMAGES SEIZED FROM EPSTEIN'S DEVICES
January 30, 2026 at 4:10 PM
Minnesota is bad enough that they want us to talk about Epstein.
Reposted by E.J. Fagan
Just a fundamentally evil, malevolent person. Rotten to the very core.
January 30, 2026 at 12:59 PM
Just a fundamentally evil, malevolent person. Rotten to the very core.
Aaron Judge looking cool as hell. The GOAT.
January 30, 2026 at 12:25 PM
Aaron Judge looking cool as hell. The GOAT.
Reposted by E.J. Fagan
The New Democrats & the Progressive Caucus just put out a joint statement with a list of demands for immigration enforcement reforms... 2 things on this:
1-the New Dems are to the left of Schumer on this
2-nothing about clawing back the $175 billion in OBBBA funding for ICE
1-the New Dems are to the left of Schumer on this
2-nothing about clawing back the $175 billion in OBBBA funding for ICE
January 29, 2026 at 10:33 PM
The New Democrats & the Progressive Caucus just put out a joint statement with a list of demands for immigration enforcement reforms... 2 things on this:
1-the New Dems are to the left of Schumer on this
2-nothing about clawing back the $175 billion in OBBBA funding for ICE
1-the New Dems are to the left of Schumer on this
2-nothing about clawing back the $175 billion in OBBBA funding for ICE
People are reading this way wrong. Schumer detached DHS from the other five bills in return for a two week CR on the DHS bill. Now Democrats can make demands on DHS spending without having to shut down agencies covered in the other five bills. They have way more leverage to get real concessions.
People just going out here saying the literal opposite of what happened. Thune caved! Thune did! This is a cave by Thune and Senate Republicans, any possible way you cut it.
January 30, 2026 at 5:03 AM
Reposted by E.J. Fagan
A Democratic aide says of the new deal: “Sets a 2 week clock on DHS funding by itself. If republicans don’t do shit for two weeks, DHS shuts down and there’s little incentive for us to reopen without the guardrails on ICE”
January 29, 2026 at 10:45 PM
A Democratic aide says of the new deal: “Sets a 2 week clock on DHS funding by itself. If republicans don’t do shit for two weeks, DHS shuts down and there’s little incentive for us to reopen without the guardrails on ICE”
Reposted by E.J. Fagan
no fan of jeffries, but holy shit is this article misleading. in the press briefing he calls for "a prohibition that DHS cannot *detain* or deport American citizens", and his focus throughout the briefing is on the detainment part
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) on Thursday said House Democrats will demand a ban on the deportation of American citizens as a condition of winning their support for legislation funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Jeffries demands ban on deportation of US citizens as part of DHS reforms
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) on Thursday said House Democrats will demand a ban on the deportation of American citizens as a condition of winning their support for legislation fun…
www.kget.com
January 30, 2026 at 2:34 AM
no fan of jeffries, but holy shit is this article misleading. in the press briefing he calls for "a prohibition that DHS cannot *detain* or deport American citizens", and his focus throughout the briefing is on the detainment part
Reposted by E.J. Fagan
No vote tonight on the funding deal because — and I am not making this up — Lindsey Graham was insisting on undoing this so he can personally enrich himself to the tune of millions in taxpayer dollars
Unanimous vote in the House to repeal provision letting Senators sue the US over the Jan 6 probe and get millions of dollars
Genuinely endearing how much the two chambers hate each other. A true Legolas/Gimli meme for House members against their true enemy, the Senate
(will be part of the minibus)
Genuinely endearing how much the two chambers hate each other. A true Legolas/Gimli meme for House members against their true enemy, the Senate
(will be part of the minibus)
January 30, 2026 at 4:09 AM
No vote tonight on the funding deal because — and I am not making this up — Lindsey Graham was insisting on undoing this so he can personally enrich himself to the tune of millions in taxpayer dollars
Reposted by E.J. Fagan
NO SENATE VOTE TONIGHT
Couldn’t get all senators to allow a speedy vote. Schumer tells reporters Lindsey Graham is blocking it. “That’s the holdup,” Schumer tells reporters. Graham wants to keep a provision letting him sue to pocket $500,000 over J6 phone records seized.
Couldn’t get all senators to allow a speedy vote. Schumer tells reporters Lindsey Graham is blocking it. “That’s the holdup,” Schumer tells reporters. Graham wants to keep a provision letting him sue to pocket $500,000 over J6 phone records seized.
January 30, 2026 at 4:28 AM
NO SENATE VOTE TONIGHT
Couldn’t get all senators to allow a speedy vote. Schumer tells reporters Lindsey Graham is blocking it. “That’s the holdup,” Schumer tells reporters. Graham wants to keep a provision letting him sue to pocket $500,000 over J6 phone records seized.
Couldn’t get all senators to allow a speedy vote. Schumer tells reporters Lindsey Graham is blocking it. “That’s the holdup,” Schumer tells reporters. Graham wants to keep a provision letting him sue to pocket $500,000 over J6 phone records seized.
Reposted by E.J. Fagan
You are all ABSOLUTELY entitled to your correct opinion that Chuck Schumer's messaging sucks.
But don't waste your time whining while he bought you two weeks. Bc this is legislative success.
But don't waste your time whining while he bought you two weeks. Bc this is legislative success.
🚨 The Senate has agreed to a deal to vote on 5/6 full appropriations bills and replace the DHS funding measure with a 2-week stopgap bill, per multiple sources. That gives time to negotiate on the Dem demands for ICE and CBP restraints.
January 29, 2026 at 11:15 PM
You are all ABSOLUTELY entitled to your correct opinion that Chuck Schumer's messaging sucks.
But don't waste your time whining while he bought you two weeks. Bc this is legislative success.
But don't waste your time whining while he bought you two weeks. Bc this is legislative success.
Reposted by E.J. Fagan
1) Excellent take. Esp as it's not just a delay; Schumer got a DHS-only delay, so no gov't shutdown. And if over the next 2 wks Repubs refuse to put real limits on DHS, Dems can refuse a second CR and only DHS is affected. Better Dem leverage.
2) And it matches my priors.
bsky.app/profile/empt...
2) And it matches my priors.
bsky.app/profile/empt...
January 30, 2026 at 12:12 AM
1) Excellent take. Esp as it's not just a delay; Schumer got a DHS-only delay, so no gov't shutdown. And if over the next 2 wks Repubs refuse to put real limits on DHS, Dems can refuse a second CR and only DHS is affected. Better Dem leverage.
2) And it matches my priors.
bsky.app/profile/empt...
2) And it matches my priors.
bsky.app/profile/empt...
People are reading this way wrong. Schumer detached DHS from the other five bills in return for a two week CR on the DHS bill. Now Democrats can make demands on DHS spending without having to shut down agencies covered in the other five bills. They have way more leverage to get real concessions.
People just going out here saying the literal opposite of what happened. Thune caved! Thune did! This is a cave by Thune and Senate Republicans, any possible way you cut it.
January 30, 2026 at 3:34 AM
People are reading this way wrong. Schumer detached DHS from the other five bills in return for a two week CR on the DHS bill. Now Democrats can make demands on DHS spending without having to shut down agencies covered in the other five bills. They have way more leverage to get real concessions.
Things are going well with the Illinois Republican Party.
January 30, 2026 at 2:34 AM
Things are going well with the Illinois Republican Party.
Reposted by E.J. Fagan
Trump approvals in Feb. 2025 vs. Jan. 2026, according to @pewresearch.org:
White: +12 to -8
Asian: -4 to -48 (!!)
Latino: -26 to -45
Black: -59 to -71
That’s uhhhh quite the shift, especially with Asian voters.
White: +12 to -8
Asian: -4 to -48 (!!)
Latino: -26 to -45
Black: -59 to -71
That’s uhhhh quite the shift, especially with Asian voters.
January 29, 2026 at 8:39 PM
Trump approvals in Feb. 2025 vs. Jan. 2026, according to @pewresearch.org:
White: +12 to -8
Asian: -4 to -48 (!!)
Latino: -26 to -45
Black: -59 to -71
That’s uhhhh quite the shift, especially with Asian voters.
White: +12 to -8
Asian: -4 to -48 (!!)
Latino: -26 to -45
Black: -59 to -71
That’s uhhhh quite the shift, especially with Asian voters.
Reposted by E.J. Fagan
Tina Smith: "There is real harm that is unfolding in Minnesota as we speak. Nothing has changed on the ground even though President Trump sent Homan to Minnesota."
January 29, 2026 at 8:48 PM
Tina Smith: "There is real harm that is unfolding in Minnesota as we speak. Nothing has changed on the ground even though President Trump sent Homan to Minnesota."
Reposted by E.J. Fagan
3,000 agents that Homan describes as being "in theater" like it's a war. 3,000 agents in a state with a relatively LOW population of undocumented people compared to say, the red states of Florida and Texas.
The overwhelming amount of force in MN is unreal.
The overwhelming amount of force in MN is unreal.
Q: Can you be specific about how many ICE and CBP agents are currently operating in the state?
HOMAN: 3,000. There's been some rotations. They've been in theater a long time. Day after day, can't eat in restaurants, people spin on you, blowing whistles at you. But my main focus now is draw down
HOMAN: 3,000. There's been some rotations. They've been in theater a long time. Day after day, can't eat in restaurants, people spin on you, blowing whistles at you. But my main focus now is draw down
January 29, 2026 at 2:12 PM
3,000 agents that Homan describes as being "in theater" like it's a war. 3,000 agents in a state with a relatively LOW population of undocumented people compared to say, the red states of Florida and Texas.
The overwhelming amount of force in MN is unreal.
The overwhelming amount of force in MN is unreal.
Reposted by E.J. Fagan
Smashing a nuclear program from airstrikes isn't easy, but is at least plausible. Regime change through limited 'inspirational' airstrikes? 🤦♂️
January 29, 2026 at 3:37 AM
Smashing a nuclear program from airstrikes isn't easy, but is at least plausible. Regime change through limited 'inspirational' airstrikes? 🤦♂️
Reposted by E.J. Fagan
Trump is on a posting bender right now and has is sharing deranged tinfoil hat stuff about the 2020 election
January 29, 2026 at 3:05 AM
Trump is on a posting bender right now and has is sharing deranged tinfoil hat stuff about the 2020 election
Reposted by E.J. Fagan
beyond disgusting
The U.S. Embassy in Denmark removed 44 Danish flags honoring Danish soldiers killed in Afghanistan outside the building, drawing outrage from the country’s veterans amid heightened tensions between Copenhagen and Washington.
https://wapo.st/4rfbSOz
https://wapo.st/4rfbSOz
Removal of flags for fallen Danish soldiers at U.S. Embassy sparks backlash
There was no malicious intent in removing the flags, said a State Department spokesperson, who added that the flags had been replaced.
wapo.st
January 28, 2026 at 10:41 PM
beyond disgusting
Reposted by E.J. Fagan
An entire community of thousands, here legally, having been demonized with deranged lies about eating pets, is about to be arbitrarily DECLARED illegal so they can be forcibly ethnically cleansed. I don’t want to hear one more fucking word about comparisons to Nazi Germany being overwrought.
January 29, 2026 at 3:20 AM
An entire community of thousands, here legally, having been demonized with deranged lies about eating pets, is about to be arbitrarily DECLARED illegal so they can be forcibly ethnically cleansed. I don’t want to hear one more fucking word about comparisons to Nazi Germany being overwrought.
Just going to go out on a limb and say that attacking one of the largest voting blocs (the largest?) in the country is a bad idea for a political party.
I don't know, Heritage Foundation-tied publication, maybe white liberal women are mad because a federal immigration official shot and killed one of them. And then called her a "bitch"? You know, on camera? www.dailysignal.com/2026/01/27/w...
The Unhinged Rage of White Liberal Women, Explained
Why are white liberal women lashing out against ICE? Is there an underlying rage that we fellas have missed?
www.dailysignal.com
January 28, 2026 at 4:33 PM
Just going to go out on a limb and say that attacking one of the largest voting blocs (the largest?) in the country is a bad idea for a political party.
Reposted by E.J. Fagan
Rand Paul: "When people watch that video and the government tells them, 'Well, he was assaulting the police officers,' nobody with any objectivity believes that. No American believes he was assaulting the officers. In fact, the opposite appears to be true. So we have to get some rules of the game."
January 28, 2026 at 1:14 PM
Rand Paul: "When people watch that video and the government tells them, 'Well, he was assaulting the police officers,' nobody with any objectivity believes that. No American believes he was assaulting the officers. In fact, the opposite appears to be true. So we have to get some rules of the game."