The immigration crackdown is central to Trump's strategy to undermine democracy. What it can do that purging opponents or controlling the power of the purse cannot is enable military deployment on US soil & rally militia to enact their agenda unchecked. w/ @abbeyst.bsky.social for #USAPP
On the USAPP blog @stephrschwartz.bsky.social @lseir.bsky.social and @abbeyst.bsky.social look at the #Trump administration's harsh #immigration policy.
They argue these actions are part a strategy for dismantling #democracy by amassing coercive power & rallying pro-government right-wing militias.
They argue these actions are part a strategy for dismantling #democracy by amassing coercive power & rallying pro-government right-wing militias.
How the US immigration crackdown undermines democracy | USAPP
The last two months have seen significant actions by the new Trump administration on immigration and against immigrants, from unwarranted deportations to increased enforcement at the Southern border.…
blogs.lse.ac.uk
March 25, 2025 at 10:45 AM
The immigration crackdown is central to Trump's strategy to undermine democracy. What it can do that purging opponents or controlling the power of the purse cannot is enable military deployment on US soil & rally militia to enact their agenda unchecked. w/ @abbeyst.bsky.social for #USAPP
I wrote this article in September 2024. I got some wrong and I got some right.
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
With Project 2025 as a guide, a re-elected Donald Trump’s plans for immigration would reshape American society | USAPP
In the lead up to the 2024 presidential election, Project 2025, published by the conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation, has been seen by many as a blueprint for Donald Trump’s policy program...
blogs.lse.ac.uk
December 15, 2025 at 4:24 AM
I wrote this article in September 2024. I got some wrong and I got some right.
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
The first Trump did on the first day of his second presidency was claim the power the define reality: blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
The 2024 Elections: In his second inaugural address, Donald Trump spoke as a dictator, not as a president | USAPP
The inaugural was a departure from a traditional celebration of American democracy to a war speech.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
August 13, 2025 at 8:04 PM
The first Trump did on the first day of his second presidency was claim the power the define reality: blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
I didnt write as much this year, but I stand by everything I wrote this year: blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
The 2024 Elections: In his second inaugural address, Donald Trump spoke as a dictator, not as a president | USAPP
The inaugural was a departure from a traditional celebration of American democracy to a war speech.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
December 20, 2025 at 4:51 PM
I didnt write as much this year, but I stand by everything I wrote this year: blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
On the USAPP blog @stephrschwartz.bsky.social @lseir.bsky.social and @abbeyst.bsky.social look at the #Trump administration's harsh #immigration policy.
They argue these actions are part a strategy for dismantling #democracy by amassing coercive power & rallying pro-government right-wing militias.
They argue these actions are part a strategy for dismantling #democracy by amassing coercive power & rallying pro-government right-wing militias.
How the US immigration crackdown undermines democracy | USAPP
The last two months have seen significant actions by the new Trump administration on immigration and against immigrants, from unwarranted deportations to increased enforcement at the Southern border.…
blogs.lse.ac.uk
March 23, 2025 at 2:00 PM
On the USAPP blog @stephrschwartz.bsky.social @lseir.bsky.social and @abbeyst.bsky.social look at the #Trump administration's harsh #immigration policy.
They argue these actions are part a strategy for dismantling #democracy by amassing coercive power & rallying pro-government right-wing militias.
They argue these actions are part a strategy for dismantling #democracy by amassing coercive power & rallying pro-government right-wing militias.
Maybe we'll see a version of what the historian Paul Kennedy called "imperial overstretch," when great powers collapse under the weight of their foreign commitments. But the speed and self-driven nature of all this is different. Call it "Trump Overstretch." 9/ blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
Long Read: For over 30 years, Paul Kennedy’s The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers has been the backdrop of the shifting debate over American power. | USAPP
Is the United States doomed to go the way of the great powers of the past and lose its global position of authority, or will it be able to avoid this fate? In 1987, Paul Kennedy's book, The Rise and F...
blogs.lse.ac.uk
January 3, 2026 at 2:37 PM
Maybe we'll see a version of what the historian Paul Kennedy called "imperial overstretch," when great powers collapse under the weight of their foreign commitments. But the speed and self-driven nature of all this is different. Call it "Trump Overstretch." 9/ blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
1/Everyone loves a feud. But Trump-Musk fight signals how far US economy/politics has deviated from rule of law. We have entered a world in which rich people are not just donors but seek to steer the government. Unfortunately, they can quickly get speared instead.
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
Elon Musk’s wealth may become a liability if Donald Trump turns against him | USAPP
Acting as a close insider may ultimately put Elon Musk in Donald Trump’s sights if – and when – they disagree.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
June 6, 2025 at 11:19 AM
1/Everyone loves a feud. But Trump-Musk fight signals how far US economy/politics has deviated from rule of law. We have entered a world in which rich people are not just donors but seek to steer the government. Unfortunately, they can quickly get speared instead.
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
Here's my write up of his Inaugural Address: blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
The 2024 Elections: In his second inaugural address, Donald Trump spoke as a dictator, not as a president | USAPP
The inaugural was a departure from a traditional celebration of American democracy to a war speech.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
September 13, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Here's my write up of his Inaugural Address: blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
The tendency of certain lefty intellectuals to regard authoritarians who use a salad fork as deserving of respect is so damaging.
People like William Buckley or Rene Girard were advocates for repression. Their ideas are incoherent and authoritarian.
Engage them to oppose, like James Baldwin did.
People like William Buckley or Rene Girard were advocates for repression. Their ideas are incoherent and authoritarian.
Engage them to oppose, like James Baldwin did.
The Baldwin/Buckley Debate Of 1965, And How Baldwin Won It | USAPP
In this account, Joss Harrison looks back at one of the most powerful yet overlooked victories of the American civil rights movement. On Thursday 30 January 2020 at 6:30pm, the LSE US Centre is hostin...
blogs.lse.ac.uk
July 31, 2025 at 11:55 PM
The tendency of certain lefty intellectuals to regard authoritarians who use a salad fork as deserving of respect is so damaging.
People like William Buckley or Rene Girard were advocates for repression. Their ideas are incoherent and authoritarian.
Engage them to oppose, like James Baldwin did.
People like William Buckley or Rene Girard were advocates for repression. Their ideas are incoherent and authoritarian.
Engage them to oppose, like James Baldwin did.
Recently published work from colleagues Morgan Wack (postdoc at University of Zurich) & Joey Schafer (UW PhD candidate) showing how state election policies that delayed vote counting fueled rumoring and conspiracy theorizing around the 2020 election: blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
The 2020 US election shows how state election policies can fuel conspiracy theories about voting | USAPP
States that allowed pre-Election Day processing saw a reduction of over a third in expected misinformation compared to states with restrictive rules.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
October 7, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Recently published work from colleagues Morgan Wack (postdoc at University of Zurich) & Joey Schafer (UW PhD candidate) showing how state election policies that delayed vote counting fueled rumoring and conspiracy theorizing around the 2020 election: blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
Trump’s $750 billion EU energy deal is built on an illusion blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
Trump’s $750 billion EU energy deal is built on an illusion | USAPP
The deal is more symbolic than substantial .
blogs.lse.ac.uk
October 14, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Trump’s $750 billion EU energy deal is built on an illusion blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
In Venezuela, the US has removed a dictator, but shows little sign of building a democracy. blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
In Venezuela, the US has removed a dictator, but shows little sign of building a democracy | USAPP
While Maduro has been removed, Venezuela remains a dictatorship, and one that is unlikely to transition to a democracy without specific US interventions.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
January 16, 2026 at 10:36 AM
In Venezuela, the US has removed a dictator, but shows little sign of building a democracy. blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
Again, not a headline I've ever expected to read 👇
Why a US Invasion of Mexico would end in disaster | USAPP
From a historical, political, diplomatic and social standpoint, military action against Mexico would be impractical but also deeply counterproductive for the US.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
March 30, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Again, not a headline I've ever expected to read 👇
💥 New research from U Mass Amherst shows the American public continues to support DEI policies, diversity, equity and inclusion.
"strong majorities favor DEI training across a variety of professions in the public and private sectors."
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
"strong majorities favor DEI training across a variety of professions in the public and private sectors."
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
New research shows the American public continues to support diversity, equity, and inclusion policies | USAPP
An important part of Donald Trump’s 2024 election platform was his pledge to end diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in the US government, a vow that he has been making good on since the b...
blogs.lse.ac.uk
June 5, 2025 at 6:12 PM
💥 New research from U Mass Amherst shows the American public continues to support DEI policies, diversity, equity and inclusion.
"strong majorities favor DEI training across a variety of professions in the public and private sectors."
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
"strong majorities favor DEI training across a variety of professions in the public and private sectors."
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
Don’t confuse Trump’s exploits with getting things done blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
Don’t confuse Trump’s exploits with getting things done | USAPP
Trump has tried to make foreign policy breakthroughs and reform domestic institutions, but the results have ranged from underwhelming to spectacular failures.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
June 12, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Don’t confuse Trump’s exploits with getting things done blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
Should also be clear that this an elite backslash.All through this devastating nonsense notions of diversity equity & inclusion&most (materially inadequate) policies that characterize them have remained popular w/ majority. Most people recognize that egalitarianism is good and has to be worked for.
The American public continues to support DEI policies | USAPP
A plurality of Americans oppose ending federal DEI policies in education, employment, and housing.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
December 26, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Should also be clear that this an elite backslash.All through this devastating nonsense notions of diversity equity & inclusion&most (materially inadequate) policies that characterize them have remained popular w/ majority. Most people recognize that egalitarianism is good and has to be worked for.
The 2026 Midterms: Trump will try and steal the midterms by suppressing the vote and controlling the narrative.
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
The 2026 Midterms: Trump will try and steal the midterms by suppressing the vote and controlling the narrative | USAPP
Trump’s recent actions suggest he may try to manipulate the outcome of the midterms by undermining the voting system and by pushing disinformation about the result being “rigged”.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
January 9, 2026 at 3:06 PM
The 2026 Midterms: Trump will try and steal the midterms by suppressing the vote and controlling the narrative.
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
Me, from January: "Trump’s speech was unusual because it did not acknowledge the constitutional limitations on the presidency. In fact, Trump dared to do what no president had done before: he claimed a mandate from God and the people to enact his agenda." blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
The 2024 Elections: In his second inaugural address, Donald Trump spoke as a dictator, not as a president | USAPP
The inaugural was a departure from a traditional celebration of American democracy to a war speech.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
July 13, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Me, from January: "Trump’s speech was unusual because it did not acknowledge the constitutional limitations on the presidency. In fact, Trump dared to do what no president had done before: he claimed a mandate from God and the people to enact his agenda." blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
Here’s a blog post version of my recent paper in BJPS on coal dominance and local government capacity. Thanks, USAPP, for the opportunity to share a more accessible version of this work!
Company towns have left a lasting legacy of underfunded and underpowered local governments
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
Company towns have left a lasting legacy of underfunded and underpowered local governments | United States Politics and Policy
When a single industry dominates a place’s economy, local governments tend to be weak, underfunded, and low in capacity.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
January 26, 2026 at 4:10 PM
Here’s a blog post version of my recent paper in BJPS on coal dominance and local government capacity. Thanks, USAPP, for the opportunity to share a more accessible version of this work!
The 2026 Midterms: Trump will try and steal the midterms by suppressing the vote and controlling the narrative.
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
The 2026 Midterms: Trump will try and steal the midterms by suppressing the vote and controlling the narrative | USAPP
Trump’s recent actions suggest he may try to manipulate the outcome of the midterms by undermining the voting system and by pushing disinformation about the result being “rigged”.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
January 14, 2026 at 5:24 PM
The 2026 Midterms: Trump will try and steal the midterms by suppressing the vote and controlling the narrative.
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
Happy holidays from LSE USAPP to all our readers and best wishes for 2025! blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
Happy holidays from LSE USAPP to all our readers and best wishes for 2025!
We’d like to wish our readers all the best for the holidays and to say thanks so much to all our readers and to those who contributed articles in 2024. We’re looking forward to continuing to bring …
blogs.lse.ac.uk
December 25, 2024 at 9:14 AM
Happy holidays from LSE USAPP to all our readers and best wishes for 2025! blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
A new European ideological patriotism could be a counter for Trumpism writes
@peternedergaard.bsky.social of the University of Copenhagen
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
@peternedergaard.bsky.social of the University of Copenhagen
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
Long Read: How a new European ideological patriotism could be a counter for Trumpism | USAPP
Europe must step up to counter Trumpism by promoting its model of ordoliberalism and a new form of European patriotism.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
September 30, 2025 at 9:58 AM
A new European ideological patriotism could be a counter for Trumpism writes
@peternedergaard.bsky.social of the University of Copenhagen
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
@peternedergaard.bsky.social of the University of Copenhagen
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
The US-led world order is breaking—here’s what history tells us may come next
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
The US-led world order is breaking—here’s what history tells us may come next | USAPP
The US is undermining the very order it built, and the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit shows how China is seizing the moment.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
September 24, 2025 at 4:51 PM
The US-led world order is breaking—here’s what history tells us may come next
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...