Chris Baxter
@baxterpolitics.bsky.social
Political science professor at Univ of Tennessee at Martin. Constitution fan. American politics, public administration, Admin Law and Con Law. Opinions are my own. RTR.
Reposted by Chris Baxter
In addition to fighting back against GOP gerrymandering, here’s another reason why state-level races so important in 2026: if Dems win trifectas in combo of MI, PA, WI, NV & AZ they can put National Popular Vote Interstate Compact over 270 electoral votes & elect next president with popular vote
May 15, 2026 at 2:32 PM
In addition to fighting back against GOP gerrymandering, here’s another reason why state-level races so important in 2026: if Dems win trifectas in combo of MI, PA, WI, NV & AZ they can put National Popular Vote Interstate Compact over 270 electoral votes & elect next president with popular vote
Reposted by Chris Baxter
“Do not accept brutality and cruelty as normal even if it is sanctioned. Protect the vulnerable and encourage the afraid. If you are brave, stand up for others. If you cannot be brave — and it is often hard to be brave — be kind.”
@sarahkendzior.bsky.social
thecorrespondent.com/5696/were-he...
@sarahkendzior.bsky.social
thecorrespondent.com/5696/were-he...
We’re heading into dark times. This is how to be your own light in the Age of Trump
Having studied authoritarian states for over a decade, I would never exaggerate the severity of the threat we now face. But an American kleptocracy is exactly where president-elect Trump and his backe...
https://thecorrespondent.com/5696/were-heading-into-dark-times-this-is-how-to-be-your-own-light-in-the-age-of-trump/1611114266432-e23ea1a6
December 3, 2024 at 7:11 PM
“Do not accept brutality and cruelty as normal even if it is sanctioned. Protect the vulnerable and encourage the afraid. If you are brave, stand up for others. If you cannot be brave — and it is often hard to be brave — be kind.”
@sarahkendzior.bsky.social
thecorrespondent.com/5696/were-he...
@sarahkendzior.bsky.social
thecorrespondent.com/5696/were-he...
Reposted by Chris Baxter
I wanna point out something serious. The admin has been complaining about Iran winning the information war.
This same administration shut down Voice of America, and other information operations the US govt does.
It’s a self goal. Actions have consequences
This same administration shut down Voice of America, and other information operations the US govt does.
It’s a self goal. Actions have consequences
April 9, 2026 at 11:01 PM
I wanna point out something serious. The admin has been complaining about Iran winning the information war.
This same administration shut down Voice of America, and other information operations the US govt does.
It’s a self goal. Actions have consequences
This same administration shut down Voice of America, and other information operations the US govt does.
It’s a self goal. Actions have consequences
Reposted by Chris Baxter
Charges against Former Prince Andrew must be dropped if it’s determined that raping teenagers was an official act.
by John Roberts (joined by Thomas, Alito, Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, and Barrett)
by John Roberts (joined by Thomas, Alito, Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, and Barrett)
February 20, 2026 at 12:40 PM
Charges against Former Prince Andrew must be dropped if it’s determined that raping teenagers was an official act.
by John Roberts (joined by Thomas, Alito, Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, and Barrett)
by John Roberts (joined by Thomas, Alito, Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, and Barrett)
Reposted by Chris Baxter
“Not only has Congress not authorized such a war, it has barely even debated it. The administration has not bothered to explain, either to Congress or the American people, why it might bomb Iran or what it hopes to achieve.”
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/20/o...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/20/o...
Opinion | This Is How an Autocrat Goes to War
www.nytimes.com
February 20, 2026 at 2:22 PM
“Not only has Congress not authorized such a war, it has barely even debated it. The administration has not bothered to explain, either to Congress or the American people, why it might bomb Iran or what it hopes to achieve.”
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/20/o...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/20/o...
Reposted by Chris Baxter
It's as if he was looking into a crystal ball.
Our first president warned abt remaining united & being on the lookout for a despot who “agitates the community with ill founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection”
Our first president warned abt remaining united & being on the lookout for a despot who “agitates the community with ill founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection”
Washington Warned Us About Trump
Our first president valued national unity and feared a despot who would exploit "the ruins of public liberty." A reminder for this Presidents’ Day.
open.substack.com
February 16, 2026 at 12:25 PM
It's as if he was looking into a crystal ball.
Our first president warned abt remaining united & being on the lookout for a despot who “agitates the community with ill founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection”
Our first president warned abt remaining united & being on the lookout for a despot who “agitates the community with ill founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection”
Reposted by Chris Baxter
The introduction to Mark Esper's book, A Sacred Oath.
Esper stayed in the Secretary of Defense job to protect Americans from Trump's whims. I highly recommend his book. It's still so relevant today.
Esper stayed in the Secretary of Defense job to protect Americans from Trump's whims. I highly recommend his book. It's still so relevant today.
February 11, 2026 at 6:02 PM
The introduction to Mark Esper's book, A Sacred Oath.
Esper stayed in the Secretary of Defense job to protect Americans from Trump's whims. I highly recommend his book. It's still so relevant today.
Esper stayed in the Secretary of Defense job to protect Americans from Trump's whims. I highly recommend his book. It's still so relevant today.
Reposted by Chris Baxter
Pamela Jo Bondi coldly ignoring the Epstein survivors as she memorizes her next irrelevant lie to protect one of the main perpetrators.
February 11, 2026 at 5:18 PM
Pamela Jo Bondi coldly ignoring the Epstein survivors as she memorizes her next irrelevant lie to protect one of the main perpetrators.
Reposted by Chris Baxter
Honestly, Thomas Massie might have been the most effective questioner of Bondi today. This presentation was so damning, it makes clear that Pam Bondi's DOJ is either the most incompetent in history, or they are the most corrupt in history actively participating in a cover up of the Epstein files.
Massie: "Here is an email that was sent by the victims' lawyers to the DOJ. It was a list of names not to release. What did the DOJ do with this email? They released it! Literally the worst thing you could do the survivors you did."
February 11, 2026 at 5:42 PM
Honestly, Thomas Massie might have been the most effective questioner of Bondi today. This presentation was so damning, it makes clear that Pam Bondi's DOJ is either the most incompetent in history, or they are the most corrupt in history actively participating in a cover up of the Epstein files.
Reposted by Chris Baxter
(AXIOS) - Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) told Axios in an interview Tuesday that, when he searched President Trump's name in the unredacted Epstein files the previous day, it came up "more than a million times."
@axios.com
www.axios.com/2026/02/10/t...
@axios.com
www.axios.com/2026/02/10/t...
February 10, 2026 at 6:13 PM
(AXIOS) - Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) told Axios in an interview Tuesday that, when he searched President Trump's name in the unredacted Epstein files the previous day, it came up "more than a million times."
@axios.com
www.axios.com/2026/02/10/t...
@axios.com
www.axios.com/2026/02/10/t...
Reposted by Chris Baxter
Hoo boy, that's the "however" heard 'round the world.
Leavitt: "The president believes in the United States Constitution, however ... "
February 3, 2026 at 6:28 PM
Hoo boy, that's the "however" heard 'round the world.
Reposted by Chris Baxter
From some of my veteran friends that I work with...
January 5, 2026 at 12:36 AM
From some of my veteran friends that I work with...
Reposted by Chris Baxter
Caviar station and ice sculpture at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago party as food banks continue to be stretched thin
January 1, 2026 at 4:54 PM
Caviar station and ice sculpture at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago party as food banks continue to be stretched thin
Reposted by Chris Baxter
Reposted by Chris Baxter
In Hegseth's view, a general giving and honest and accurate account of Russia's threat to Europe when testifying to our legislative branch is a fireable offense. If I were in Congress I might be a bit upset about this if I wanted to continue to receive reliable information.
December 31, 2025 at 3:09 PM
In Hegseth's view, a general giving and honest and accurate account of Russia's threat to Europe when testifying to our legislative branch is a fireable offense. If I were in Congress I might be a bit upset about this if I wanted to continue to receive reliable information.
Reposted by Chris Baxter
This is the one that really gets me. Hegseth treated a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart as a photo op, putting on makeup, telling an aide to “look commanding.” When the Ukrainian asked for honesty about what was going to happen, Hegseth refused to answer, just nodded for the photo. Hollow man.
December 31, 2025 at 2:56 PM
This is the one that really gets me. Hegseth treated a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart as a photo op, putting on makeup, telling an aide to “look commanding.” When the Ukrainian asked for honesty about what was going to happen, Hegseth refused to answer, just nodded for the photo. Hollow man.
Reposted by Chris Baxter
Opinion | A leading expert on academic freedom explains the complex lay of the legal terrain, now. https://chroni.cl/4ap8qMg
Opinion | The Legal Status of Trump’s Assault on Higher Ed
Will the courts continue to protect academic freedom?
www.chronicle.com
December 22, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Opinion | A leading expert on academic freedom explains the complex lay of the legal terrain, now. https://chroni.cl/4ap8qMg
Reposted by Chris Baxter
Re: Epstein Files
Leaked GOP memo gives step-by-step instructions on how to use DARVO (deny, attack, reverse victim and offender) a psychological manipulation tactic, to dismiss any Trump wrongdoing, and instead villainize Dems and frame Trump as the victim
couriernewsroom.com/news/leaked-...
Leaked GOP memo gives step-by-step instructions on how to use DARVO (deny, attack, reverse victim and offender) a psychological manipulation tactic, to dismiss any Trump wrongdoing, and instead villainize Dems and frame Trump as the victim
couriernewsroom.com/news/leaked-...
Leaked Epstein Files talking points instruct Republicans how to point blame away from Trump
Trump loyalists have been instructed to relentlessly accuse Democrats and ‘legacy media’ of fabricating a hoax, and encourage voters not to trust any information in the Epstein Files that damage the p...
couriernewsroom.com
December 18, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Re: Epstein Files
Leaked GOP memo gives step-by-step instructions on how to use DARVO (deny, attack, reverse victim and offender) a psychological manipulation tactic, to dismiss any Trump wrongdoing, and instead villainize Dems and frame Trump as the victim
couriernewsroom.com/news/leaked-...
Leaked GOP memo gives step-by-step instructions on how to use DARVO (deny, attack, reverse victim and offender) a psychological manipulation tactic, to dismiss any Trump wrongdoing, and instead villainize Dems and frame Trump as the victim
couriernewsroom.com/news/leaked-...
Reposted by Chris Baxter
Trump claims credit for military bonus that Congress already approved
Trump claims credit for military bonus that Congress already approved
The White House’s plans for a “warrior dividend” to reward troops this holiday season are actually housing assistance funds approved this summer.
dlvr.it
December 18, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Trump claims credit for military bonus that Congress already approved
Reposted by Chris Baxter
What else aren't they wanting us to know?
December 12, 2025 at 10:45 AM
What else aren't they wanting us to know?
Reposted by Chris Baxter
It's been truly remarkable to see the grand jury system actually act as a real line of defense.
Especially since--as I bet most non-lawyers don't know--the only legal person in the GJ room is the prosecutor: no defense, no judge.
There is NO place more favorable to the state. And they keep losing.
Especially since--as I bet most non-lawyers don't know--the only legal person in the GJ room is the prosecutor: no defense, no judge.
There is NO place more favorable to the state. And they keep losing.
JUST IN: Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Snell just confirmed, at the prodding of U.S. Magistrate Judge Keri Holleb Hotaling, that this motion for dismissal followed a "no bill" from a grand jury.
That means the grand jury refused to indict.
That means the grand jury refused to indict.
U.S. prosecutors in Chicago are dropping another case tied to Operation Midway Blitz, "without prejudice."
It's USA v. Nathan Griffin. Below is the motion, followed by excerpts from the complaint.
The feds don't say why they're dropping it, but they had until today to secure an indictment.
It's USA v. Nathan Griffin. Below is the motion, followed by excerpts from the complaint.
The feds don't say why they're dropping it, but they had until today to secure an indictment.
December 10, 2025 at 4:31 PM
It's been truly remarkable to see the grand jury system actually act as a real line of defense.
Especially since--as I bet most non-lawyers don't know--the only legal person in the GJ room is the prosecutor: no defense, no judge.
There is NO place more favorable to the state. And they keep losing.
Especially since--as I bet most non-lawyers don't know--the only legal person in the GJ room is the prosecutor: no defense, no judge.
There is NO place more favorable to the state. And they keep losing.
Reposted by Chris Baxter
👏👏 to the Lower Courts. The Supreme Court's enabler majority has used the shadow docket to greenlight so much nefarious BS.
"[The Molina injunction] draws a line in the sand. It tells the Supreme Court that if they want to change the law, they have to put their names on a real opinion & justify it"
"[The Molina injunction] draws a line in the sand. It tells the Supreme Court that if they want to change the law, they have to put their names on a real opinion & justify it"
Lower Courts Openly Defy SCOTUS
A federal judge in D.C. just exposed the intellectual dishonesty of "Kavanaugh stops" and proved that unexplained shadow docket orders are no match for the written law.
open.substack.com
December 10, 2025 at 5:20 PM
👏👏 to the Lower Courts. The Supreme Court's enabler majority has used the shadow docket to greenlight so much nefarious BS.
"[The Molina injunction] draws a line in the sand. It tells the Supreme Court that if they want to change the law, they have to put their names on a real opinion & justify it"
"[The Molina injunction] draws a line in the sand. It tells the Supreme Court that if they want to change the law, they have to put their names on a real opinion & justify it"