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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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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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Tom Clark @tomsclark.bsky.social · 21h

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?

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 21h

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

Reposted by Nandita Sharma, Tom Clark, Mary Feeney , and 2 more Nandita Sharma, Tom Clark, Mary Feeney, Greg Linden, Andrew Rudalevige

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 21h

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Tom Clark @tomsclark.bsky.social · 2d

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.

Kevin Elliott @kjephd.bsky.social · 2d

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

Kevin Elliott @kjephd.bsky.social · 2d

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 Ben H. Ansell, Will Jennings, Brendan Nyhan, Tom Clark, Juan Cole, Michael Kevane, Robert C. Richards, David R. Miller, Michael D. McDonald, Jason Lyall, David Rosnick, Nicole Guenther Discenza, Aviel Roshwald, Stella M. Rouse, Nathan P. Kalmoe

Kevin Elliott @kjephd.bsky.social · 2d

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Reposted by Amy Bruckman, Tom Clark, Daniel W. Drezner , and 7 more Amy Bruckman, Tom Clark, Daniel W. Drezner, Smith, Alan Richardson, R. M. Wilson, Bessma Momani, Christina Ho, Nathan P. Kalmoe, Colin Woodard

Dave Levitan @davelevitan.bsky.social · 2d

“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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Tom Clark @tomsclark.bsky.social · 2d

Maybe they’ll make Hunter Biden a VP?

Scott Horton @robertscotthorton.bsky.social · 3d

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

Tom Clark @tomsclark.bsky.social · 2d

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

Tom Clark @tomsclark.bsky.social · 2d

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 Anna O. Law, Peter Thorne, Tom Clark, Steve Peers, American Library Association, Gernot Wagner, Melanie C. Green, Silvia Secchi, Michael Zimmer, Scott A. Imberman, Anthony Burke, Blair Fix, Farah Mendlesohn, Jeannette Sutton

LongTime🤓FirstTime👨‍💻 @longtimehistory.bsky.social · 2d

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 Mark A. Lemley, Gavin A. Schmidt, Tom Clark, Rebecca Tushnet, Michael Jones‐Correa, Ann Bartow, Andrew Rudalevige, Brian Jm Quinn, Aidan O’Sullivan

The Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social · 2d

“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

Kevin Elliott @kjephd.bsky.social · 2d

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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Scott Horton @robertscotthorton.bsky.social · 3d

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 Tom Clark, Rosemary A. Joyce, Anders Nilsson, Robert C. Richards, David R. Miller, Daxton R. Stewart, Manisha Sinha, Nathan P. Kalmoe

Mark Joseph Stern @mjsdc.bsky.social · 3d

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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Tom Clark @tomsclark.bsky.social · 3d

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.

Aaron Fritschner @fritschner.bsky.social · 3d

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 Tom Clark, Alan Richardson, Serge Egelman, Greg Linden

Aaron Fritschner @fritschner.bsky.social · 3d

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Reposted by Tom Clark, Mark D. White, David R. Miller , and 6 more Tom Clark, Mark D. White, David R. Miller, Lesley Bartlett, Brian Keegan, Cullen S. Hendrix, Simon Lester, Christina Pagel, David Darmofal

Carl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 3d

“Stabilizing Argentina is ‘America First’.”

🇦🇷 🇺🇸

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Reposted by Tom Clark, David Darmofal

Anna Bower @annabower.bsky.social · 3d

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 @razzball.bsky.social · 3d

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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Tom Clark @tomsclark.bsky.social · 4d

I mean, I think that in most authoritarian regimes, protest is in fact rebellion, right?

Don Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · 4d

America, 2025: Government lawyers tell judges that the President can declare any protest he dislikes to be a rebellion, and the courts must agree.

Heather Cherone @heathercherone.bsky.social · 4d

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

Reposted by Nathan P. Kalmoe

Tom Clark @tomsclark.bsky.social · 4d

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

Don Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · 4d

America, 2025: Government lawyers tell judges that the President can declare any protest he dislikes to be a rebellion, and the courts must agree.

Heather Cherone @heathercherone.bsky.social · 4d

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Tom Clark @tomsclark.bsky.social · 4d

What Kavanaugh calls a "brief investigative stop" to determine someone's immigration status. #KavanaughStops

CollinCountyDems @collincountydems.bsky.social · 4d

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.

Reposted by Anna O. Law, Lisa W. Fazio, Tom Clark , and 8 more Anna O. Law, Lisa W. Fazio, Tom Clark, Juan Cole, Daniel W. Drezner, Aaron Sojourner, Michael H. Whitworth, David Rosnick, Henry Jones, Magda Teter, Dunlap

CollinCountyDems @collincountydems.bsky.social · 4d

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Reposted by Tom Clark, David R. Miller, Kathleen Kennedy , and 1 more Tom Clark, David R. Miller, Kathleen Kennedy, David Darmofal

Chris Geidner @chrisgeidner.bsky.social · 4d

BREAKING: Federal judge issues a TRO in the Northern District of Illinois (including Chicago and the Broadview ICE facility), providing protections for protesters and journalists covering the protests.

storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

Some of the key elements:

1. 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:
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.
Defendants may order a Journalist to change location to avoid disrupting law enforcement,
' President Trump, one of the named Defendants, is not included in this Order.
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Case: 1:25-cv-12173 Document #: 42 Filed: 10/09/25 Page 2 of 6 PagelD #:836
as long as the Journalist has an objectively reasonable time to comply and an objectively
reasonable opportunity to report and observe;

b. Issuing a crowd dispersal order requiring any person to leave a public place
that they lawfully have a right to be, unless dispersal is justified by exigent circumstances as defined by Department of Homeland Security Use of Force Policy (updated Feb. 6,
2023), Sections III.F and XII.E;
С.
For purposes of this Order, a crowd dispersal order is a lawful command
given by a Federal Agent for all persons to leave a designated area when three or more persons are committing acts of disorderly conduct that are likely to cause substantial harm in the immediate vicinity;
d. Using riot control weapons including kinetic impact projectiles (KIPs), Compressed Air Launchers (e.g., PIS and FN303), Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) Spray, CS gas, CN gas, or other chemical irritants, 40 mm Munitions Launchers, less-lethal shotguns,
Less-Lethal Specialty Impact-Chemical Munitions (LLSI-CM), Controlled Noise and Light Distraction Devices (CNLDDs), Electronic Control Weapons (ECWs) - on members of the press, protesters, or religious practitioners who are not posing an immediate threat to the safety of a law enforcement officer or others;

To facilitate the Defendants' identification of Journalists protected under
this Order, the following are examples of indicia of being a Journalist: visual identification as a member of the press, such as by carrying a professional press pass, badge or credentials; wearing distinctive clothing or patches that identify the wearer as a member of the press; or carrying professional gear such as professional photographic or videography
equipment. Other indicia of being a Journalist under this Order include that the person is standing off to the side of a protest, not engaging in chanting, sign holding, shouting slogans, or otherwise protesting, and documenting protest activities, although these are not
requirements. These indicia are illustrative, and a person need not exhibit every indicium
to be considered a Journalist under this Order. Defendants shall not be liable for unintentional violations of this Order in the case of an individual who does not wear a press pass, badge, or other official press credential, professional gear, or distinctive clothing that identifies the person as a member of the press.

It is further ORDERED that all Federal Agents, excepting those who do not wear a
uniform or other distinguishing clothing or equipment in the regular performance of their official
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Case: 1:25-cv-12173 Document #: 42 Filed: 10/09/25 Page 5 of 6 PagelD #:839
duties or are engaged in undercover operations in the regular performance of their official duties, must have visible identification (for which a unique recognizable alphanumeric identifier sequence
will suffice) affixed to their uniforms or helmets and prominently displayed, including when
wearing riot gear.

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Reposted by Stephen M. Walt, Lisa W. Fazio, Margaret Mitchell , and 25 more Stephen M. Walt, Lisa W. Fazio, Margaret Mitchell, Richard S.J. Tol, Brian A. Nosek, Will Jennings, Brendan Nyhan, Garry Peterson, Joshua S. Weitz, Tom Clark, Steve Peers, Jamie Morgan, Elizabeth Stokoe, Henning Melber, Sanford F. Schram, Daniel W. Drezner, Trevon D. Logan, Smith, Alan Richardson, David R. Miller, Lesley Bartlett, Zen Faulkes, Kate Starbird, Henry Jones, Pauline Stafford, Jason Williams, Dana Howard, David Darmofal

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 4d

RFK Jr on Tylenol and autism: "It is not proof. We're doing the studies to make the proof."

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Reposted by Tom Clark

NY Times Pitchbot @nytpitchbot.bsky.social · 4d

Republican Tom Homan says he didn't take a $50,000 cash bribe (he did). But Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse says Homan took the cash in a paper bag (it was specifically a Cava bag). Will either party tell the full truth?

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Tom Clark @tomsclark.bsky.social · 5d

Nixon’s VP (Agnew) was forced out for the exact same reason. We are officially in a worse-than-Nixon situation. L

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Tom Clark @tomsclark.bsky.social · 5d

What world do we live in where a senator asks a testifying AG if the FBI recovered $50,000 from a sting operation catching a now-White House official accepting bribes, and the AG says, “I’m not telling you”??

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Tom Clark @tomsclark.bsky.social · 5d

People laughed when Trump recently told the UN that Christianity is the most persecuted religion in the world. Just like when he took a sharpie out to redirect a hurricane, he'll show us all he was right, even if he has to do the persecution himself.

Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 6d

The same people who insisted devout Catholic Joe Biden was leading a “war on Christianity” are now cheering Trump on as his armed goons assault clergymen.

The Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social · 6d

WATCH: Trump’s lawless Ice goons shoot an unarmed priest in the head with a pepper ball. Completely out of control.