Pseudonym of a boring policy wonk by day
@neveltenjohn.bsky.social
Center-right, former lifelong Republican, NeverTrump, policy and stat geek with too much education and too much experience.
Reposted by Pseudonym of a boring policy wonk by day
New research: The new proclamation blocking the Immediate Relatives of US Citizens from 39 countries & the low refugee ceiling mean legal immigration is now projected to decline by at least 600K during Donald Trump’s 2nd term. @mclem.org @douglasrivlin.bsky.social
www.forbes.com/sites/stuart...
www.forbes.com/sites/stuart...
Immigrant Labor Declines As Trump Imposes New Immigration Restrictions
Government data show a decline of 1.1 million foreign-born workers since January. New immigration restrictions will lead to a larger drop.
www.forbes.com
December 17, 2025 at 6:36 PM
New research: The new proclamation blocking the Immediate Relatives of US Citizens from 39 countries & the low refugee ceiling mean legal immigration is now projected to decline by at least 600K during Donald Trump’s 2nd term. @mclem.org @douglasrivlin.bsky.social
www.forbes.com/sites/stuart...
www.forbes.com/sites/stuart...
On the new "Animal Farm":
If it is NOT about how authoritarian murderers can use egalitarianism to justify their crimes, then it is as divorced from the original as that Winnie The Pooh slasher film.
If it is NOT about how authoritarian murderers can use egalitarianism to justify their crimes, then it is as divorced from the original as that Winnie The Pooh slasher film.
December 15, 2025 at 1:23 AM
On the new "Animal Farm":
If it is NOT about how authoritarian murderers can use egalitarianism to justify their crimes, then it is as divorced from the original as that Winnie The Pooh slasher film.
If it is NOT about how authoritarian murderers can use egalitarianism to justify their crimes, then it is as divorced from the original as that Winnie The Pooh slasher film.
Reposted by Pseudonym of a boring policy wonk by day
NEW! Our incredible legal team at @immcouncil.org just secured a victory in federal court, reinforcing a ruling blocking blocking ICE from taking unaccompanied children into ICE detention on their 18th birthday, and re-detaining previously-released teenagers. Proud to work with such awesome lawyers!
BREAKING: A federal court in D.C. has blocked ICE’s unlawful policy of automatically detaining unaccompanied immigrant teens once they turn 18 – and from re-detaining those teens for no reason.
This ruling means youth can stay in safe, supportive settings – not adult jails.
This ruling means youth can stay in safe, supportive settings – not adult jails.
December 12, 2025 at 11:13 PM
NEW! Our incredible legal team at @immcouncil.org just secured a victory in federal court, reinforcing a ruling blocking blocking ICE from taking unaccompanied children into ICE detention on their 18th birthday, and re-detaining previously-released teenagers. Proud to work with such awesome lawyers!
A lot of ideologically driven bad science behind using "ultraprocessed" as a slur.
The MAHA/MAGA right hate it's modernity and lack of "purity". The left hate the corporations that make it.
An ultraprocessed nutrition bar will always be better than a slab of lard.
wapo.st/3KSy7dA
The MAHA/MAGA right hate it's modernity and lack of "purity". The left hate the corporations that make it.
An ultraprocessed nutrition bar will always be better than a slab of lard.
wapo.st/3KSy7dA
Opinion | Beware the MAHA/nanny-state alliance against ultra-processed food
San Francisco progressives and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have a lot in common.
wapo.st
December 12, 2025 at 2:46 PM
A lot of ideologically driven bad science behind using "ultraprocessed" as a slur.
The MAHA/MAGA right hate it's modernity and lack of "purity". The left hate the corporations that make it.
An ultraprocessed nutrition bar will always be better than a slab of lard.
wapo.st/3KSy7dA
The MAHA/MAGA right hate it's modernity and lack of "purity". The left hate the corporations that make it.
An ultraprocessed nutrition bar will always be better than a slab of lard.
wapo.st/3KSy7dA
Many Republicans have disappointed me in accepting radical authoritarianism by Trump.
But for a majority of GOP Senators in Indiana, MAGA thuggery went too far this time.
But for a majority of GOP Senators in Indiana, MAGA thuggery went too far this time.
Indiana’s Senate has voted AGAINST the GOP gerrymander that’d have locked in a 9-0 map.
This keeps the 7-2 map in place, saving two Democratic seats heading into 2026.
The vote failed big, 19/31.
The MAJORITY of the GOP senators opposed it!
This keeps the 7-2 map in place, saving two Democratic seats heading into 2026.
The vote failed big, 19/31.
The MAJORITY of the GOP senators opposed it!
December 11, 2025 at 11:37 PM
Many Republicans have disappointed me in accepting radical authoritarianism by Trump.
But for a majority of GOP Senators in Indiana, MAGA thuggery went too far this time.
But for a majority of GOP Senators in Indiana, MAGA thuggery went too far this time.
Reposted by Pseudonym of a boring policy wonk by day
A note on Somali welfare use:
After 10 years in the United States, their receipt of public assistance income DROPPED by 73% (from 15% to 4%).
Refugees from Somalia indeed come to America with even less than most other refugees.
BUT THEY SUCCEED HERE.
nfap.com/wp-content/u...
After 10 years in the United States, their receipt of public assistance income DROPPED by 73% (from 15% to 4%).
Refugees from Somalia indeed come to America with even less than most other refugees.
BUT THEY SUCCEED HERE.
nfap.com/wp-content/u...
nfap.com
December 11, 2025 at 9:36 PM
A note on Somali welfare use:
After 10 years in the United States, their receipt of public assistance income DROPPED by 73% (from 15% to 4%).
Refugees from Somalia indeed come to America with even less than most other refugees.
BUT THEY SUCCEED HERE.
nfap.com/wp-content/u...
After 10 years in the United States, their receipt of public assistance income DROPPED by 73% (from 15% to 4%).
Refugees from Somalia indeed come to America with even less than most other refugees.
BUT THEY SUCCEED HERE.
nfap.com/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Pseudonym of a boring policy wonk by day
"I'm so proud to be an American, but I'm embarrassed for what Trump is doing for our country....Speaking up is the actual patriotic thing to do when you see something wrong." [Martina Navratilova for @ofthebraveusa.bsky.social, 2:11]
WATCH: Martina Navratilova is “Pissed Off as Hell”
She grew up under a totalitarian regime. Trump’s America looks scarily familiar.
newsletter.ofthebrave.org
December 10, 2025 at 8:52 PM
"I'm so proud to be an American, but I'm embarrassed for what Trump is doing for our country....Speaking up is the actual patriotic thing to do when you see something wrong." [Martina Navratilova for @ofthebraveusa.bsky.social, 2:11]
A critique of Trump immigration policy from a learning disabled child:
"Why are we stopping people from countries we don't like from coming here? If they want to come here, maybe they don't like their country either."
"Why are we stopping people from countries we don't like from coming here? If they want to come here, maybe they don't like their country either."
December 9, 2025 at 9:21 PM
A critique of Trump immigration policy from a learning disabled child:
"Why are we stopping people from countries we don't like from coming here? If they want to come here, maybe they don't like their country either."
"Why are we stopping people from countries we don't like from coming here? If they want to come here, maybe they don't like their country either."
Good summary of what is different between what Bush and Obama did and what Trump is doing now: ⬇️⬇️⬇️
America got “the president is killing terrorists, don’t question it” in the 2000s too. But unlike now:
-The US had been attacked
-Al Qaeda was a terrorist group and planned more attacks
-They were in areas the US military did not freely operate, where arrest was risky
-Congress authorized the action
-The US had been attacked
-Al Qaeda was a terrorist group and planned more attacks
-They were in areas the US military did not freely operate, where arrest was risky
-Congress authorized the action
December 9, 2025 at 6:58 AM
Good summary of what is different between what Bush and Obama did and what Trump is doing now: ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Yes—America turned away from the world in the 1920s and 1930s—away from immigration, trade, and alliances.
It made the Great Depression worse, but December 7th 1941 was when it really came back to bite us.
It made the Great Depression worse, but December 7th 1941 was when it really came back to bite us.
Pearl Harbor Day should remind Americans that our oceans cannot protect us and that isolationism is folly when there is a threat of imperialism by totalitarian regimes.
December 7, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Yes—America turned away from the world in the 1920s and 1930s—away from immigration, trade, and alliances.
It made the Great Depression worse, but December 7th 1941 was when it really came back to bite us.
It made the Great Depression worse, but December 7th 1941 was when it really came back to bite us.
Reposted by Pseudonym of a boring policy wonk by day
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara issued a stern warning to his officers on Thursday: Intervene when you see Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents using unlawful force or lose your job.
Minneapolis police chief warns officers: Stop unlawful force by ICE or lose your job
Chief Brian O’Hara says he’ll fire city police officers if they don’t intervene when immigration agents use unlawful force.
www.ms.now
December 6, 2025 at 7:05 AM
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara issued a stern warning to his officers on Thursday: Intervene when you see Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents using unlawful force or lose your job.
Leaving aside the anti-immigration and anti-trade xenophobic diatribes, at one point it denounces all post-WWII US foreign policy as seeking global "domination"—language straight out of Soviet and extreme leftist propaganda.
MAGA hates America.
MAGA hates America.
A few thoughts on the new US national security strategy that was released today.
🧵
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
🧵
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
December 6, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Leaving aside the anti-immigration and anti-trade xenophobic diatribes, at one point it denounces all post-WWII US foreign policy as seeking global "domination"—language straight out of Soviet and extreme leftist propaganda.
MAGA hates America.
MAGA hates America.
[email protected]
Dr Furman,
You may remember that some of us thought you would be a good candidate for President (albeit with the caveat that "the Democrats could do worse").
You may be please to learn that we are now nominating you for the NFL Prize in Economics.
Dr Furman,
You may remember that some of us thought you would be a good candidate for President (albeit with the caveat that "the Democrats could do worse").
You may be please to learn that we are now nominating you for the NFL Prize in Economics.
December 5, 2025 at 10:16 PM
[email protected]
Dr Furman,
You may remember that some of us thought you would be a good candidate for President (albeit with the caveat that "the Democrats could do worse").
You may be please to learn that we are now nominating you for the NFL Prize in Economics.
Dr Furman,
You may remember that some of us thought you would be a good candidate for President (albeit with the caveat that "the Democrats could do worse").
You may be please to learn that we are now nominating you for the NFL Prize in Economics.
The initial level of cooperation in 2008 was awe inspiring. There were few delays to try to negotiate better deals. LITTLE countries that could have easily been free-riders stepped up to do their part, as did the financial institutions not at direct risk.
Hard to see that happening now.
Hard to see that happening now.
“Imagine what would happen if, next year, we had a 2008-style crisis and Bessent and Hassett were [at Treasury and the Fed]. In such a universe, could the rest of the world trust American economic leadership? Could the American-led economic order survive?”
www.thebulwark.com/p/what-if-it...
www.thebulwark.com/p/what-if-it...
What If It’s Already Too Late?
Institutional rot or ideological infection—either way, a real “Deep State” is already taking shape.
www.thebulwark.com
December 4, 2025 at 8:56 PM
The initial level of cooperation in 2008 was awe inspiring. There were few delays to try to negotiate better deals. LITTLE countries that could have easily been free-riders stepped up to do their part, as did the financial institutions not at direct risk.
Hard to see that happening now.
Hard to see that happening now.
Reposted by Pseudonym of a boring policy wonk by day
South Floridians from Cuba, Haiti and Venezuela expecting to become U.S. citizens this week learned instead that their naturalization ceremonies had been canceled after the Trump administration issued a sweeping directive aimed at halting immigration from so-called high-risk countries.
South Florida immigrants on cusp of citizenship told to wait as DHS changes policy
The cancellations, confirmed by multiple immigration attorneys, came after the Trump administration paused immigration from 19 nations and froze all asylum claims.
www.miamiherald.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:33 AM
South Floridians from Cuba, Haiti and Venezuela expecting to become U.S. citizens this week learned instead that their naturalization ceremonies had been canceled after the Trump administration issued a sweeping directive aimed at halting immigration from so-called high-risk countries.
Reposted by Pseudonym of a boring policy wonk by day
I support the idea of a grand coalition to defend democratic institutions. Relatedly, I don't care to spend time with people whose reaction to economic views like mine is to call for guillotines. Is there a tension between those two goals, and if so what's the best way to handle it?
December 4, 2025 at 12:30 AM
I support the idea of a grand coalition to defend democratic institutions. Relatedly, I don't care to spend time with people whose reaction to economic views like mine is to call for guillotines. Is there a tension between those two goals, and if so what's the best way to handle it?
Reposted by Pseudonym of a boring policy wonk by day
🚨DON’T SCROLL🚨
Here in Pennsylvania, we actually know a little something about making our communities safer (unlike some folks in DC).
Watch as I break down our two-pronged approach that’s delivering real results:
Here in Pennsylvania, we actually know a little something about making our communities safer (unlike some folks in DC).
Watch as I break down our two-pronged approach that’s delivering real results:
December 2, 2025 at 10:01 PM
🚨DON’T SCROLL🚨
Here in Pennsylvania, we actually know a little something about making our communities safer (unlike some folks in DC).
Watch as I break down our two-pronged approach that’s delivering real results:
Here in Pennsylvania, we actually know a little something about making our communities safer (unlike some folks in DC).
Watch as I break down our two-pronged approach that’s delivering real results:
Reposted by Pseudonym of a boring policy wonk by day
Also, people forget than when I became a Republican, Massachusetts had a Republican Senator - and he was Black
Have people forgotten that there is an abyss between MoralMajority/TeaParty/FundyChristian/MAGA/HeritageSociety Republicans and the Republican Party Mr. Nichols started his career in? Four decades ago it was possible to find a Republican with integrity and values aligned with America. 🤦🏻♀️Geez.
December 3, 2025 at 4:06 AM
Also, people forget than when I became a Republican, Massachusetts had a Republican Senator - and he was Black
Reposted by Pseudonym of a boring policy wonk by day
"The request was simple on paper: DHS wants access to DMV records and the right to move that data through Nlets, the national law-enforcement network, so it can plug the information into SAVE, its citizenship-verification system." But "once DMV records are inside that pipeline, they don’t stay put."
They’re Building a National Tracking System. Quietly.
open.substack.com/pub/quintonr...
open.substack.com/pub/quintonr...
They’re Building a National Tracking System. Quietly.
A quiet DHS notice opens the door to a nationwide system of identity and movement tracking.
open.substack.com
December 2, 2025 at 10:57 PM
"The request was simple on paper: DHS wants access to DMV records and the right to move that data through Nlets, the national law-enforcement network, so it can plug the information into SAVE, its citizenship-verification system." But "once DMV records are inside that pipeline, they don’t stay put."
Reposted by Pseudonym of a boring policy wonk by day
Blue states have higher electricity prices than red states. Democrats should be trying to change the cost and supply conditions that are responsible for that. [Josh Barro]
To Win on Electricity Prices, Democrats Need Policies That Make Electricity Cheaper
Blue states have higher electricity prices than red states. We need more infrastructure — including fossil fuel infrastructure — to ensure that electricity is affordable.
www.joshbarro.com
December 2, 2025 at 3:53 AM
Blue states have higher electricity prices than red states. Democrats should be trying to change the cost and supply conditions that are responsible for that. [Josh Barro]
Reposted by Pseudonym of a boring policy wonk by day
This is a must read. The most in depth understanding of how corrupt our foreign policy has become. Trump and Witkoff (Rubio totally sidelined) are proposing to sell out Ukraine in exchange for Russian deals for their billionaire crowd.
Not about peace. Just about profit.
Not about peace. Just about profit.
Make Money Not War: Trump’s Real Plan for Peace in Ukraine
The Kremlin pitched the White House on peace through business. To Europe’s dismay, the president and his envoy are on board.
www.wsj.com
December 1, 2025 at 10:50 PM
This is a must read. The most in depth understanding of how corrupt our foreign policy has become. Trump and Witkoff (Rubio totally sidelined) are proposing to sell out Ukraine in exchange for Russian deals for their billionaire crowd.
Not about peace. Just about profit.
Not about peace. Just about profit.
Reposted by Pseudonym of a boring policy wonk by day
🔥 BREAKING: A spokesperson for Kids Can Press, the publisher of the Franklin the Turtle books, messaged me today about Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth using the likeness and image from the books to make light of killings in the Caribbean in his post yesterday on X.
December 2, 2025 at 12:16 AM
🔥 BREAKING: A spokesperson for Kids Can Press, the publisher of the Franklin the Turtle books, messaged me today about Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth using the likeness and image from the books to make light of killings in the Caribbean in his post yesterday on X.
Reposted by Pseudonym of a boring policy wonk by day
I agree with most of the points made here, but disagree with the conclusion. "Strong floors, no ceiling" SHOULD be at least one message right now.
Much of America reject Dems in part because it seems like they are FAR more concerned with keeping anyone from getting ahead than actually helping.
Much of America reject Dems in part because it seems like they are FAR more concerned with keeping anyone from getting ahead than actually helping.
This will probably get me yelled at, because I can see the consensus forming here that "strong floors, no ceiling" is the dumbest of all possible slogans. I would argue that it's actually not that bad, but that it's wrong for this moment (please read 🧵before yelling at me)...
December 1, 2025 at 4:08 PM
I agree with most of the points made here, but disagree with the conclusion. "Strong floors, no ceiling" SHOULD be at least one message right now.
Much of America reject Dems in part because it seems like they are FAR more concerned with keeping anyone from getting ahead than actually helping.
Much of America reject Dems in part because it seems like they are FAR more concerned with keeping anyone from getting ahead than actually helping.
I agree with most of the points made here, but disagree with the conclusion. "Strong floors, no ceiling" SHOULD be at least one message right now.
Much of America reject Dems in part because it seems like they are FAR more concerned with keeping anyone from getting ahead than actually helping.
Much of America reject Dems in part because it seems like they are FAR more concerned with keeping anyone from getting ahead than actually helping.
This will probably get me yelled at, because I can see the consensus forming here that "strong floors, no ceiling" is the dumbest of all possible slogans. I would argue that it's actually not that bad, but that it's wrong for this moment (please read 🧵before yelling at me)...
December 1, 2025 at 4:08 PM
I agree with most of the points made here, but disagree with the conclusion. "Strong floors, no ceiling" SHOULD be at least one message right now.
Much of America reject Dems in part because it seems like they are FAR more concerned with keeping anyone from getting ahead than actually helping.
Much of America reject Dems in part because it seems like they are FAR more concerned with keeping anyone from getting ahead than actually helping.