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tomsclark.bsky.social
Tom Clark
@tomsclark.bsky.social
1.1K followers 150 following 580 posts

Political scientist at Stanford University studying law, courts, policing, public safety. www.tomclarkphd.com Go birds.

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tomsclark.bsky.social
Tom Clark @tomsclark.bsky.social · May 8
Well, look what just showed up! Advance copies are in, and you can pre-order yours now. It ships June 3. press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
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tomsclark.bsky.social
Tom Clark @tomsclark.bsky.social · 37m
I've been listening to the SCOTUS arguments this morning and am pretty struck by how the conservative justices are approaching this case. Either they are being disingenuous or they are willing to radically misread history and facts to chip away at congressional power.
sifill.bsky.social
Sherrilyn Ifill @sifill.bsky.social · 1h
This entire argument by Louisiana and the conservatives questions are premised on an erasure of Congress’ enforcement power under the 14th & 15th Amendments.

Literally swinging for the fences to wipe out the premise for the legitimacy of Congress’ power to enact civil rights statutes.
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Reposted by Tom Clark, Robert S. Chang, Josh Pasek , and 1 more

sifill.bsky.social
Sherrilyn Ifill @sifill.bsky.social · 1h
This entire argument by Louisiana and the conservatives questions are premised on an erasure of Congress’ enforcement power under the 14th & 15th Amendments.

Literally swinging for the fences to wipe out the premise for the legitimacy of Congress’ power to enact civil rights statutes.
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tomsclark.bsky.social
Tom Clark @tomsclark.bsky.social · 22h
It’s probably unlikely that the typical (or pivotal) voter will realize how frequently, brazenly, and abnormally the Trump administration has been defying the courts. It’s really just problematic that the chief executive disregards the law like this. apnews.com/article/fema...
Judge accuses Homeland Security of bullying states into accepting conditions to get FEMA money
A federal judge in Rhode Island has accused the Trump administration of trying to “bully” states into accepting conditions that require them to cooperate on immigration enforcement actions to get disa...
apnews.com
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tomsclark.bsky.social
Tom Clark @tomsclark.bsky.social · 1d
I'm old enough to remember when Republicans flipped out at the idea of the administration asking Facebook to remove harmful information.
yasharali.bsky.social
Yashar Ali 🐘 @yasharali.bsky.social · 1d
Statement from AG Pam Bondi:
Statement from AG Pam Bondi: “Today following outreach from the DOJ, Facebook removed a large group page that was being used to dox and target ICE agents in Chicago. The wave of violence against ICE has been driven by online apps and social media campaigns designed to put ICE officers at risk just for doing their jobs. The Department of Justice will continue engaging tech companies to eliminate platforms where radicals can incite imminent violence against federal law enforcement.”

Reposted by Nina Jankowicz, Tom Clark, Henry Jones

yasharali.bsky.social
Yashar Ali 🐘 @yasharali.bsky.social · 1d
Statement from AG Pam Bondi:
Statement from AG Pam Bondi: “Today following outreach from the DOJ, Facebook removed a large group page that was being used to dox and target ICE agents in Chicago. The wave of violence against ICE has been driven by online apps and social media campaigns designed to put ICE officers at risk just for doing their jobs. The Department of Justice will continue engaging tech companies to eliminate platforms where radicals can incite imminent violence against federal law enforcement.”
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tomsclark.bsky.social
Tom Clark @tomsclark.bsky.social · 1d
The sum total of reporting on ICE agents’ conduct in recent months suggests a degree of inhumanity and human rights abuses that is just shocking. I have little confidence we’ll ever get a full reckoning, but i hope history judges us appropriately. apnews.com/article/immi...
ICE's use of full-body restraints during deportations raises concerns over inhumane treatment
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have been using a full-body restraint device called the WRAP during deportations.
apnews.com
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tomsclark.bsky.social
Tom Clark @tomsclark.bsky.social · 2d
How is is that the Speaker of the House, during a government shutdown, has no information about the president (seemingly illegally) firing thousands of government employees as (allegedly) a bargaining tactic to resolve the government shutdown?
atrupar.com
Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 2d
REPORTER: We know the president moved forward with mass layoffs. We're also learning there were significant cuts to staff at special education services. Are you comfortable with those cuts?

MIKE JOHNSON: I haven't seen the specifics of that and I don't know
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Reposted by Nandita Sharma, Tom Clark, Mary Feeney , and 2 more

atrupar.com
Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 2d
REPORTER: We know the president moved forward with mass layoffs. We're also learning there were significant cuts to staff at special education services. Are you comfortable with those cuts?

MIKE JOHNSON: I haven't seen the specifics of that and I don't know
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tomsclark.bsky.social
Tom Clark @tomsclark.bsky.social · 3d
Everyone should be getting paid. This isn’t about that. It’s about breaking the law to try to further grasp personal control of the military. And that’s really what it is.
kjephd.bsky.social
Kevin Elliott @kjephd.bsky.social · 3d
Unconstitutionally taking money that the law says must be spent on one purpose & using it for something else—when it's to establish personalist control over the FUCKING MILITARY—is about as dangerous a constitutional crisis/failure as you can imagine

Via: www.nbcnews.com/politics/tru...
The Office of Management and Budget sent a notification to Congress about their intent to use research and development funds to pay members of the military, two sources with direct knowledge tell NBC News. A spokesperson for the OMB confirmed to NBC News that it plans to use the research and development funds and that there are two years' worth of funds available within the Department of Defense.
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Reposted by Tom Clark

kjephd.bsky.social
Kevin Elliott @kjephd.bsky.social · 3d
Many historians of Rome identify Roman generals becoming the personal sources of payment for their armies as a key step in the downfall of the Republic, since it personalized military authority and freed armies to fight for their immediate leader, who paid them, instead of for the Republic
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Reposted by Ben H. Ansell, Will Jennings, Brendan Nyhan , and 12 more

kjephd.bsky.social
Kevin Elliott @kjephd.bsky.social · 3d
Unconstitutionally taking money that the law says must be spent on one purpose & using it for something else—when it's to establish personalist control over the FUCKING MILITARY—is about as dangerous a constitutional crisis/failure as you can imagine

Via: www.nbcnews.com/politics/tru...
The Office of Management and Budget sent a notification to Congress about their intent to use research and development funds to pay members of the military, two sources with direct knowledge tell NBC News. A spokesperson for the OMB confirmed to NBC News that it plans to use the research and development funds and that there are two years' worth of funds available within the Department of Defense.
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Reposted by Amy Bruckman, Tom Clark, Daniel W. Drezner , and 7 more

davelevitan.bsky.social
Dave Levitan @davelevitan.bsky.social · 3d
“We can give $20 billion to Argentina but we can’t afford the CDC’s measles experts” is a hell of an argument
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tomsclark.bsky.social
Tom Clark @tomsclark.bsky.social · 3d
Maybe they’ll make Hunter Biden a VP?
robertscotthorton.bsky.social
Scott Horton @robertscotthorton.bsky.social · 4d
Trump said he deserved a cut for brokering the TikTok deal, and at once there was agreement that his son Baron would have a top executive slot... though he hasn't asked for it, and has no apparent qualifications to hold it. This is how Trump 2.0 works. www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025...
Barron Trump tipped for top TikTok job
US president’s 19-year-old son could be appointed to the app’s board
www.telegraph.co.uk
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tomsclark.bsky.social
Tom Clark @tomsclark.bsky.social · 3d
The very fact that these judges are answering NY surveys and talking to reporters is amazing evidence that the courts are crumbling. My time studying and thinking about judicial norms and legitimacy tells me these cracks are evidence of a fundamental fissure in the institutions.
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Reposted by Efrén O. Pérez, David R. Miller, David Darmofal

tomsclark.bsky.social
Tom Clark @tomsclark.bsky.social · 3d
The biggest story you should read today is that dozens of federal judges are willing to talk about how alarmed they are by SCOTUS’ willingness to step in on an emergency basis and allow the Trump Administration to do things that seem illegal. Their candor is unprecedented.
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Reposted by Anna O. Law, Peter Thorne, Tom Clark , and 11 more

longtimehistory.bsky.social
LongTime🤓FirstTime👨‍💻 @longtimehistory.bsky.social · 4d
ICE secretly kidnap autistic boy during bathroom break—never notify parents.

Mother reported him missing a week ago—turns out ICE had him detained the whole time.

He was helping sell fruit and asked to go to the restroom—by the time she was done helping a customer he was gone.

Houston, Texas
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Reposted by Mark A. Lemley, Gavin A. Schmidt, Tom Clark , and 6 more

thetnholler.bsky.social
The Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social · 4d
“YOU hit HER.”

CHICAGO - Trump’s ICE goons ram into a passing car after snatching someone, then brutally drag the female driver of the car they hit out of her car with guns drawn and arrest her too. (Her brother says she’s a citizen)
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Reposted by Tom Clark, Jacob T. Levy, Samantha Brennan

kjephd.bsky.social
Kevin Elliott @kjephd.bsky.social · 4d
This story rounding up the autocratization of American government & society makes my blood run cold

www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Trump, Feeling Emboldened, Pushes Agenda Into Higher Gear
Recent moves by the president reflect a commander in chief who has seemingly faced little resistance to his agenda.
www.wsj.com
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Reposted by Stephen M. Walt, Cas Mudde, Richard S.J. Tol , and 17 more

robertscotthorton.bsky.social
Scott Horton @robertscotthorton.bsky.social · 4d
Trump said he deserved a cut for brokering the TikTok deal, and at once there was agreement that his son Baron would have a top executive slot... though he hasn't asked for it, and has no apparent qualifications to hold it. This is how Trump 2.0 works. www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025...
Barron Trump tipped for top TikTok job
US president’s 19-year-old son could be appointed to the app’s board
www.telegraph.co.uk
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Reposted by Tom Clark, Rosemary A. Joyce, Anders Nilsson , and 5 more

mjsdc.bsky.social
Mark Joseph Stern @mjsdc.bsky.social · 4d
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.
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tomsclark.bsky.social
Tom Clark @tomsclark.bsky.social · 4d
The House has not taken a vote since September 19, and Johnson continue to refuse to swear in the most recently elected member. The government remains shutdown. This is what constitutional abdication looks like.
fritschner.bsky.social
Aaron Fritschner @fritschner.bsky.social · 4d
A few minutes ago in the House:

- Speaker Mike Johnson officially cancels votes next week, extending the House recess through a fourth week

- House Republicans block Democrats from passing a bill to pay the troops during the shutdown, ensuring they will miss paychecks next week
House Press Gallery: During today's pro forma session, the Clerk read a message from the Speaker designating Tuesday, October 14 through Sunday, October 19 as a district work period. Punchbowl's Briana Reilly: House gaveled in and out of its pro forma just now w/o recognizing Rep Elfreth, who was seeking to UC a mil pay bill from Rep Sykes. Elfreth told reporters after that House Dems stand “ready and willing to take” up standalone legislation to pay troops.
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Reposted by Tom Clark, Alan Richardson, Serge Egelman , and 1 more

fritschner.bsky.social
Aaron Fritschner @fritschner.bsky.social · 4d
A few minutes ago in the House:

- Speaker Mike Johnson officially cancels votes next week, extending the House recess through a fourth week

- House Republicans block Democrats from passing a bill to pay the troops during the shutdown, ensuring they will miss paychecks next week
House Press Gallery: During today's pro forma session, the Clerk read a message from the Speaker designating Tuesday, October 14 through Sunday, October 19 as a district work period. Punchbowl's Briana Reilly: House gaveled in and out of its pro forma just now w/o recognizing Rep Elfreth, who was seeking to UC a mil pay bill from Rep Sykes. Elfreth told reporters after that House Dems stand “ready and willing to take” up standalone legislation to pay troops.
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Reposted by Tom Clark, Mark D. White, David R. Miller , and 6 more

carlquintanilla.bsky.social
Carl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 5d
“Stabilizing Argentina is ‘America First’.”

🇦🇷 🇺🇸
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Reposted by Tom Clark, David Darmofal

annabower.bsky.social
Anna Bower @annabower.bsky.social · 5d
ICE official testifies that DHS “prematurely” sent Abrego Garcia a notice that he would be removed to Ghana.

Just this morning, Ghana’s foreign minister wrote on X that the country had “directly and unambiguously conveyed to US authorities” that Abrego cannot be deported there.
Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa & @S _OkudzetoAblak X.com Ghana is not accepting Abrego Garcia. He cannot be deported to Ghana. This has been directly and unambiguously conveyed to US authorities. In my interactions with US officials, I made clear that our understanding to accept a limited number of non-criminal West Africans, purely on the grounds of African solidarity and humanitarian principles would not be expanded. Ghana strongly objects to these misleading media reports.
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Reposted by Tom Clark

razzball.bsky.social
Razzball @razzball.bsky.social · 5d
A five-point-five billion Trump golf course in Qatar, and Qatar gets an air base in Idaho.
New Trump Golf Course, $5.5 Billion Beachside Project Announced for Qatar
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tomsclark.bsky.social
Tom Clark @tomsclark.bsky.social · 5d
I mean, I think that in most authoritarian regimes, protest is in fact rebellion, right?
donmoyn.bsky.social
Don Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · 5d
America, 2025: Government lawyers tell judges that the President can declare any protest he dislikes to be a rebellion, and the courts must agree.
heathercherone.bsky.social
Heather Cherone @heathercherone.bsky.social · 5d
Perry: DOJ's definition of rebellion would mean that
"literally all nonviolent protest” could be considered evidence of rebellion. Is that your argument?
Hamilton: The president has determined there is a danger of a rebellion, and you must defer to that finding
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Reposted by Nathan P. Kalmoe

tomsclark.bsky.social
Tom Clark @tomsclark.bsky.social · 5d
It's really bad for the rule of law and liberal democracy when a judge says of a government agency, "“DHS’s narrative of events is simply unreliable.”

apnews.com/article/nati...
Judge blocks National Guard deployment in Illinois for 2 weeks
A judge has blocked the deployment of National Guard troops in the Chicago area for two weeks, finding no substantial evidence that a “danger of rebellion” is brewing in Illinois.
apnews.com
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Reposted by Tom Clark, Jacob Montgomery, David R. Miller

donmoyn.bsky.social
Don Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · 5d
America, 2025: Government lawyers tell judges that the President can declare any protest he dislikes to be a rebellion, and the courts must agree.
heathercherone.bsky.social
Heather Cherone @heathercherone.bsky.social · 5d
Perry: DOJ's definition of rebellion would mean that
"literally all nonviolent protest” could be considered evidence of rebellion. Is that your argument?
Hamilton: The president has determined there is a danger of a rebellion, and you must defer to that finding
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tomsclark.bsky.social
Tom Clark @tomsclark.bsky.social · 5d
What Kavanaugh calls a "brief investigative stop" to determine someone's immigration status. #KavanaughStops
collincountydems.bsky.social
CollinCountyDems @collincountydems.bsky.social · 5d
This is terrifying!

ICE breaks into this woman’s car in the pick-up line at West Loop Elementary school in Chicago and detains her before she can pick her kids up from school. (They were eventually let go after showing their documents)

This is Trump’s America.
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Reposted by Anna O. Law, Lisa W. Fazio, Tom Clark , and 8 more

collincountydems.bsky.social
CollinCountyDems @collincountydems.bsky.social · 5d
This is terrifying!

ICE breaks into this woman’s car in the pick-up line at West Loop Elementary school in Chicago and detains her before she can pick her kids up from school. (They were eventually let go after showing their documents)

This is Trump’s America.
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