Chris Roberts
@electroberts.bsky.social
(He/Him) Councilmember, City of Shoreline; PhD University of Washington; Political Science instructor. Personal page.
Reposted by Chris Roberts
Birthright citizenship under the common law, a thread:
I have done this many times on social media, in print, and in media interviews, but not to be accused of taking others’ not seriously enough, by plainly stating the law and history of birthright citizenship, I’m taking the time here:
I have done this many times on social media, in print, and in media interviews, but not to be accused of taking others’ not seriously enough, by plainly stating the law and history of birthright citizenship, I’m taking the time here:
December 12, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Birthright citizenship under the common law, a thread:
I have done this many times on social media, in print, and in media interviews, but not to be accused of taking others’ not seriously enough, by plainly stating the law and history of birthright citizenship, I’m taking the time here:
I have done this many times on social media, in print, and in media interviews, but not to be accused of taking others’ not seriously enough, by plainly stating the law and history of birthright citizenship, I’m taking the time here:
Reposted by Chris Roberts
The administration is quite literally breaking all the laws of God and man to destroy Kilmar Abrego Garcia as an example to everyone.
His freedom is our freedom.
His freedom is our freedom.
December 12, 2025 at 1:57 PM
The administration is quite literally breaking all the laws of God and man to destroy Kilmar Abrego Garcia as an example to everyone.
His freedom is our freedom.
His freedom is our freedom.
Reposted by Chris Roberts
WOW; a DEEPLY corrupt move by the immigration courts; clear collaboration with Trump admin officials to produce a specific result with zero notice to the party and ALSO in a situation where the judge facially lacks jurisdiction; the judge had denied a motion to reopen and the case is on appeal.
Judge Xinis ordered Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s release in part bc ICE could not produce a final “order of removal” to deport him. So last night, they went out and got an immigration judge to issue one.
Now, Abrego is urging Xinis to block his redetention. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Now, Abrego is urging Xinis to block his redetention. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
December 12, 2025 at 1:10 PM
WOW; a DEEPLY corrupt move by the immigration courts; clear collaboration with Trump admin officials to produce a specific result with zero notice to the party and ALSO in a situation where the judge facially lacks jurisdiction; the judge had denied a motion to reopen and the case is on appeal.
Reposted by Chris Roberts
Palouse to Cascades Trail significantly damaged by washout and landslide due to heavy rain
#SEAbikes #Seattle
#SEAbikes #Seattle
Palouse to Cascades Trail significantly damaged by washout and landslide due to heavy rain
Photo from WSDOT. The extreme rainfall this week has triggered washouts and landslides that have damaged the Palouse to Cascades Trail. WSDOT posted a photo of a significant slide that has destroyed at least a dozen feet or so of the trail and damaged the hillside below it. Because it is relatively near I-90, WSDOT is monitoring the slide.
www.seattlebikeblog.com
December 10, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Reposted by Chris Roberts
City of Mount Vernon now asking everyone in 100 year flood plain of Skagit River to evacuate.
MORE: mountvernonwa.gov/CivicAlerts....
MORE: mountvernonwa.gov/CivicAlerts....
Flood Warning (Advertencia de Inundación)
Flood Warning has been issued for Mount Vernon. A flood warning is issued when flooding is happening or about to happen.
mountvernonwa.gov
December 11, 2025 at 1:54 AM
City of Mount Vernon now asking everyone in 100 year flood plain of Skagit River to evacuate.
MORE: mountvernonwa.gov/CivicAlerts....
MORE: mountvernonwa.gov/CivicAlerts....
Reposted by Chris Roberts
Tribal nations in WA State will need extra support after this flooding event. If the federal government refused to help them what can our region do together to provide support?
December 11, 2025 at 1:05 AM
Tribal nations in WA State will need extra support after this flooding event. If the federal government refused to help them what can our region do together to provide support?
Reposted by Chris Roberts
A huge night for Democrats:
—They flip Miami's mayorship.
—They flip a state House district in Georgia that had voted Trump by 13%.
—They keep Albuquerque's mayorship, while the liberal faction flips city council.
—And they get big overperformances (+18 & +22) in 2 Florida specials.
—They flip Miami's mayorship.
—They flip a state House district in Georgia that had voted Trump by 13%.
—They keep Albuquerque's mayorship, while the liberal faction flips city council.
—And they get big overperformances (+18 & +22) in 2 Florida specials.
December 10, 2025 at 3:26 AM
A huge night for Democrats:
—They flip Miami's mayorship.
—They flip a state House district in Georgia that had voted Trump by 13%.
—They keep Albuquerque's mayorship, while the liberal faction flips city council.
—And they get big overperformances (+18 & +22) in 2 Florida specials.
—They flip Miami's mayorship.
—They flip a state House district in Georgia that had voted Trump by 13%.
—They keep Albuquerque's mayorship, while the liberal faction flips city council.
—And they get big overperformances (+18 & +22) in 2 Florida specials.
Reposted by Chris Roberts
BREAKING: Democrats have *flipped* a seat in Georgia's state House tonight.
Democrat Eric Gisler has won the seat, which was previously held by a Republican who resigned this fall.
This is a red territory: Trump won the district by 13% in 2024.
Democrat Eric Gisler has won the seat, which was previously held by a Republican who resigned this fall.
This is a red territory: Trump won the district by 13% in 2024.
December 10, 2025 at 2:06 AM
BREAKING: Democrats have *flipped* a seat in Georgia's state House tonight.
Democrat Eric Gisler has won the seat, which was previously held by a Republican who resigned this fall.
This is a red territory: Trump won the district by 13% in 2024.
Democrat Eric Gisler has won the seat, which was previously held by a Republican who resigned this fall.
This is a red territory: Trump won the district by 13% in 2024.
Good news from Miami.
Democrat wins Miami's mayoral race for the first time in almost 30 years
“Democrat Eileen Higgins, a former county commissioner, defeated Republican Emilio González, NBC News projects.”
www.nbcnews.com/politics/ele...
“Democrat Eileen Higgins, a former county commissioner, defeated Republican Emilio González, NBC News projects.”
www.nbcnews.com/politics/ele...
Democrat wins Miami's mayoral race for the first time in almost 30 years
Democrat Eileen Higgins, a former county commissioner, defeated Republican Emilio González, NBC News projects.
www.nbcnews.com
December 10, 2025 at 1:21 AM
Good news from Miami.
Reposted by Chris Roberts
it is actually kind of bananas how unitary executive theorists have taken a straightforward clause requiring the president to "faithfully execute the laws" and transformed it into a grant for the exercise of limitless unenumerated power.
The Take Care Clause was a byproduct of the lessons learned from the Glorious Revolution that the executive should not be able to dispense with the law promulgated by the legislature. It was not a constitutional provision to empower the executive branch— but to constrain it!
December 9, 2025 at 2:20 PM
it is actually kind of bananas how unitary executive theorists have taken a straightforward clause requiring the president to "faithfully execute the laws" and transformed it into a grant for the exercise of limitless unenumerated power.
Reposted by Chris Roberts
again, the supreme court did not write the constitution (or the declaration) and—despite what you may think—they don't have the monopoly on the interpretation of those documents.
the people have a say, and if the court is out of step with the people, that's a problem for the court, not the governed
the people have a say, and if the court is out of step with the people, that's a problem for the court, not the governed
i think to understand the meaning of the birthright citizenship clause to the framers of the 14th amendment, you have to understand significance of dred scott to the civil war republican party. dred scott wasn't just a bad ruling, it was understood as a rejection of the declaration itself.
December 6, 2025 at 8:28 PM
again, the supreme court did not write the constitution (or the declaration) and—despite what you may think—they don't have the monopoly on the interpretation of those documents.
the people have a say, and if the court is out of step with the people, that's a problem for the court, not the governed
the people have a say, and if the court is out of step with the people, that's a problem for the court, not the governed
Reposted by Chris Roberts
The 14th Amendment says that all people born in America, regardless of race are citizens and have a right to equal protection under the law. For SCOTUS to be remotely confused on that text speaks to their racism, not the Constitution (1/3) www.cnn.com/2025/12/05/p...
Supreme Court agrees to decide if Trump may end birthright citizenship | CNN Politics
The Supreme Court agreed Friday to decide if President Donald Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship with an executive order is constitutional, offering the justices an opportunity to revisit w...
www.cnn.com
December 5, 2025 at 10:57 PM
The 14th Amendment says that all people born in America, regardless of race are citizens and have a right to equal protection under the law. For SCOTUS to be remotely confused on that text speaks to their racism, not the Constitution (1/3) www.cnn.com/2025/12/05/p...
Reposted by Chris Roberts
Interpreting the 14A as narrowly as possible—as SCOTUS has done recently in Dobbs & Trump v. Anderson—aligns neatly with the larger GOP goal of destroying the New Deal state & reviving the overtly white nationalist apartheid regime of the Jim Crow era.
There has been no debate here among constitutional scholars, historians, political scientists, anyone with a pulse really.
Any telling you that this very straightforward point, one that has been universally accepted for a century and a half, is now an "abstruse" issue is just a liar and a hack.
Any telling you that this very straightforward point, one that has been universally accepted for a century and a half, is now an "abstruse" issue is just a liar and a hack.
Anyone who knows this history should know there’s no contested issue.
December 7, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Interpreting the 14A as narrowly as possible—as SCOTUS has done recently in Dobbs & Trump v. Anderson—aligns neatly with the larger GOP goal of destroying the New Deal state & reviving the overtly white nationalist apartheid regime of the Jim Crow era.
Reposted by Chris Roberts
Hello, South King County! The ribbon has been cut, the confetti
has flown, and three new Link light rail stations are open for travel. The celebration isn’t over. Follow for more at Federal Way Downtown, Star Lake and Kent Des Moines stations🎉
#1Line #SoundTransit #SouthKingLink
has flown, and three new Link light rail stations are open for travel. The celebration isn’t over. Follow for more at Federal Way Downtown, Star Lake and Kent Des Moines stations🎉
#1Line #SoundTransit #SouthKingLink
December 6, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Hello, South King County! The ribbon has been cut, the confetti
has flown, and three new Link light rail stations are open for travel. The celebration isn’t over. Follow for more at Federal Way Downtown, Star Lake and Kent Des Moines stations🎉
#1Line #SoundTransit #SouthKingLink
has flown, and three new Link light rail stations are open for travel. The celebration isn’t over. Follow for more at Federal Way Downtown, Star Lake and Kent Des Moines stations🎉
#1Line #SoundTransit #SouthKingLink
Reposted by Chris Roberts
R+6 or 7 is a great result for Dems here regardless but with 93% of 2022 turnout this is terrifying for Rs
they cannot rely on "oh this is just special election turnout differential"
almost everyone showed up and a lot of them voted the other way
they cannot rely on "oh this is just special election turnout differential"
almost everyone showed up and a lot of them voted the other way
14% swing from 2024 when all is said and done? Pretty good considering just how high-profile the race became in the last week
Turnout is currently *93%* of 2022, and it's also a 14% swing from 2022 despite similar turnout levels
Turnout is currently *93%* of 2022, and it's also a 14% swing from 2022 despite similar turnout levels
December 3, 2025 at 3:07 AM
R+6 or 7 is a great result for Dems here regardless but with 93% of 2022 turnout this is terrifying for Rs
they cannot rely on "oh this is just special election turnout differential"
almost everyone showed up and a lot of them voted the other way
they cannot rely on "oh this is just special election turnout differential"
almost everyone showed up and a lot of them voted the other way
Reposted by Chris Roberts
Mary Robichaux, a former Democratic lawmaker, has won the mayor's office tonight in Roswell, Georgia, ousting a Republican incumbent.
This was one of a dozen elections that Bolts was tracking tonight in our guide that's now updated with results.
This was one of a dozen elections that Bolts was tracking tonight in our guide that's now updated with results.
The 25 Elections to Watch This December - Bolts
On the heels of their sweeping wins in November, Democrats have opportunities to gain further ground in December runoffs and special elections. They’re hoping for upsets in conservative territory, from... Read More
boltsmag.org
December 3, 2025 at 3:19 AM
Mary Robichaux, a former Democratic lawmaker, has won the mayor's office tonight in Roswell, Georgia, ousting a Republican incumbent.
This was one of a dozen elections that Bolts was tracking tonight in our guide that's now updated with results.
This was one of a dozen elections that Bolts was tracking tonight in our guide that's now updated with results.
Reposted by Chris Roberts
there is no legitimate definition of the term "democracy" under which maps like these are "democratic." this level of stovepiping is banana republic shit. this is effectively no different from stuffing a ballot box
Indiana Republicans have unveiled their proposal to re-gerrymander the congressional map & expand their current 7-2 majority to 9-0.
The Dem-held 1st would flip to Trump+12 & the 7th to Trump+19. All 7 GOP seats would be at least Trump+18.
Interactive map:
davesredistricting.org/maps#viewmap...
The Dem-held 1st would flip to Trump+12 & the 7th to Trump+19. All 7 GOP seats would be at least Trump+18.
Interactive map:
davesredistricting.org/maps#viewmap...
December 1, 2025 at 8:50 PM
there is no legitimate definition of the term "democracy" under which maps like these are "democratic." this level of stovepiping is banana republic shit. this is effectively no different from stuffing a ballot box
This administration is very unpopular with the American public.
GALLUP poll: President Trump's job approval rating is 36% positive, 60% negative. It is down among Republicans and independents. One warning sign: just 69% of Republicans approve of his handling of health care, a major 2026 issue. And US approval of Congress has fallen to 14%.
December 1, 2025 at 3:36 PM
This administration is very unpopular with the American public.
Reposted by Chris Roberts
Abraham Lincoln, 1855.
www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/spee...
www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/spee...
![I am not a Know-Nothing. That is certain. How could I be? How can any one who abhors the oppression of negroes, be in favor or degrading classes of white people? Our progress in degeneracy appears to me to be pretty rapid. As a nation, we began by declaring that "all men are created equal." We now practically read it "all men are created equal, except negroes" When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read "all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics." When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretence of loving liberty -- to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocracy [sic].](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:egd33s7iuqsmwlwab6mbtrqi/bafkreiaaicjid4jg3oongeah73ukqvwsqv4vwbp75q4f755nldtcfermhi@jpeg)
November 28, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Abraham Lincoln, 1855.
www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/spee...
www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/spee...
Happy Thanksgiving!! 🦃 🍁
November 27, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Happy Thanksgiving!! 🦃 🍁
Reposted by Chris Roberts
Calling all Democratic municipal leaders & candidates!
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Register today: bit.ly/495YGpH.
On December 3, 2025, at 4 PM ET, join “Repurposing Your Campaign Infrastructure” to learn how to transform your campaign resources into long-term constituent engagement.
Register today: bit.ly/495YGpH.
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bit.ly
November 26, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Calling all Democratic municipal leaders & candidates!
On December 3, 2025, at 4 PM ET, join “Repurposing Your Campaign Infrastructure” to learn how to transform your campaign resources into long-term constituent engagement.
Register today: bit.ly/495YGpH.
On December 3, 2025, at 4 PM ET, join “Repurposing Your Campaign Infrastructure” to learn how to transform your campaign resources into long-term constituent engagement.
Register today: bit.ly/495YGpH.
Reposted by Chris Roberts
Young people feel like we've lost agency over our lives. We can't *really* pick where to live, or whether to change jobs, or how many kids to have -- the cost of living makes us feel trapped.
Younger candidates can powerfully speak to that emotional truth. talkingpointsmemo.com/cafe/young-c...
Younger candidates can powerfully speak to that emotional truth. talkingpointsmemo.com/cafe/young-c...
Young Candidates Can Speak to the Affordability Crisis Because They’re Living It
This article is part of TPM Cafe, TPM’s home for opinion and...
talkingpointsmemo.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Young people feel like we've lost agency over our lives. We can't *really* pick where to live, or whether to change jobs, or how many kids to have -- the cost of living makes us feel trapped.
Younger candidates can powerfully speak to that emotional truth. talkingpointsmemo.com/cafe/young-c...
Younger candidates can powerfully speak to that emotional truth. talkingpointsmemo.com/cafe/young-c...
Reposted by Chris Roberts
The EU's top court issued a ruling on same-sex marriage. It does NOT force every EU country to perform same-sex marriages.
But it *does* require them to recognise same-sex marriages from other countries, in the same way they recognise mixed-sex marriages from other countries.
Major step forward.
But it *does* require them to recognise same-sex marriages from other countries, in the same way they recognise mixed-sex marriages from other countries.
Major step forward.
www.reuters.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:50 AM
The EU's top court issued a ruling on same-sex marriage. It does NOT force every EU country to perform same-sex marriages.
But it *does* require them to recognise same-sex marriages from other countries, in the same way they recognise mixed-sex marriages from other countries.
Major step forward.
But it *does* require them to recognise same-sex marriages from other countries, in the same way they recognise mixed-sex marriages from other countries.
Major step forward.
Reposted by Chris Roberts
"My mentor always tells me, 'Kim, dogs don’t bark at parked cars." They’re coming after critical race theory, 1619, intersectionality because these ideas mobilized people. They gave them the language to actually articulate what they were seeing with their own eyes," says Kimberlé Crenshaw.
November 25, 2025 at 1:26 PM
"My mentor always tells me, 'Kim, dogs don’t bark at parked cars." They’re coming after critical race theory, 1619, intersectionality because these ideas mobilized people. They gave them the language to actually articulate what they were seeing with their own eyes," says Kimberlé Crenshaw.
Reposted by Chris Roberts
NEW: Support from Latinos helped Donald Trump reclaim the White House. But today, 68% of Latinos say the situation of Hispanics is worse than it was a year ago. It's the first time in @pewresearch.org polls that a majority of Latinos have expressed that view. www.pewresearch.org/race-and-eth...
November 25, 2025 at 1:48 PM
NEW: Support from Latinos helped Donald Trump reclaim the White House. But today, 68% of Latinos say the situation of Hispanics is worse than it was a year ago. It's the first time in @pewresearch.org polls that a majority of Latinos have expressed that view. www.pewresearch.org/race-and-eth...