The latest on SB4, the Texas push to control the U.S. border Andrea Silva - April 9, 2024 State efforts to override federal immigration policies tend to backfire, research shows.
What you need to know about India’s elections Christopher Clary - March 26, 2024 Catch up on “rogue operatives,” campaign finance schemes, and concerns about India’s democracy.
Cibo Matto, ‘Apple’: The Week In One Song Christopher Federico - March 22, 2024 Apple is sued by the feds.
How Republicans made a U-turn on impeachment Andrew Rudalevige - December 16, 2023 2023 isn’t 2019, it turns out.
Could a GOP president take over independent government agencies? Andrew Rudalevige - November 7, 2023 Here's what the law actually says.
Why Democrats won’t outmaneuver Tommy Tuberville Sarah Binder - September 20, 2023 There are risks to changing Senate rules.
Why the president can’t just fire bureaucrats Andrew Rudalevige - September 20, 2023 The "unitary executive theory" has its limits
Qatar is taking the heat for FIFA corruption Dan Hough - November 20, 2022 Investigations into FIFA’s actions reveal the global soccer organization has a long history of bribery and money-laundering. Will that change?
How Black and Latino people did in this last round of redistricting Michal Migurski, Eric McGhee, and Christopher Warshaw - October 6, 2022 We examined the first redistricting round since the Supreme Court’s Shelby County v. Holder decision ended ‘preclearance,’ comparing it to the last cycle’s districts
Justice Dept. needed luck to win Mar-a-Lago case. It shouldn’t be that way. Joshua C. Fjelstul - September 23, 2022 A panel of three judges heard the case. If three different judges had been randomly selected, it could have gone the other way.
Is the FBI impartial? Over half of Republicans say ‘no.’ Sean Kates, Joshua Tucker, Jonathan Ladd, and Jan Zilinsky - September 14, 2022 Allegations of political biases in law enforcement can hurt democracy
Getting a traffic ticket makes you less likely to vote, research finds Jonathan Ben-Menachem - September 13, 2022 That’s especially true for Black Americans ticketed within six months of going to the polls.
Presidents can’t declassify documents with Green Lantern superpowers Andrew Rudalevige and Kenneth Mayer - August 18, 2022 Let’s look at the many, many holes in Donald Trump’s theory of executive power.
States are closing polling places. That hurts democracy. Chelsea N. Jones - June 16, 2022 When it’s harder to vote, Black and Brown voters, disabled voters, and low-income voters get shut out.
Justice Breyer announced he will retire. Here’s what happens next. Paul Collins and Lori Ringhand - January 27, 2022 If Biden fulfills his promise to appoint a Black woman, he’ll make the Supreme Court more representative of the U.S. population
The Senate failed to restore this voting rights protection. My research shows it worked. Nicole E. Willcoxon - January 21, 2022 Since Shelby County v. Holder ended ‘preclearance’ protections, states have had more leeway to make voting more difficult
The Supreme Court’s vaccine mandate ruling shows it’s ready to second-guess government policy Stephen I. Vladeck - January 18, 2022 For decades, the court deferred to the government’s judgment. Now it’s heading back to the Lochner era.
Do Republicans really believe Trump won the 2020 election? Our research suggests that they do. Lane Cuthbert and Alexander Theodoridis - January 6, 2022 All credible evidence tells us that the 2020 election was
These were our 10 most popular posts of 2021 E.J. Graff - December 29, 2021 Readers were very interested in Jan. 6, the former guy’s hold on the Republican Party, and race
Biden promises to fight transnational corruption. But will the U.S. target friends as well as foes? Victor Peskin and Mieczysław Boduszyński - December 20, 2021 Washington tends to avoid confronting allies, this research shows
The Ex, ‘Contempt’: The Week In One Song Christopher Federico - December 16, 2021 Mark Meadows is held in contempt of Congress.
Big government vastly expanded presidential power. Republicans use it to sabotage the administrative state. William Howell and Terry Moe - October 31, 2021 The White House in October. Editor’s note: This article is
Civil servants are the last defense against a lawless president. It’s no wonder Trump didn’t trust them. Walter M. Shaub, Jr. - October 10, 2021 U.S. democracy counts on public servants to be loyal to the Constitution, not politicians
Isaac Hayes, ‘By The Time I Get to Phoenix’: The Week In One Song Christopher Federico - August 5, 2021 A federal investigation of the Phoenix police.
How Black Lives Matter demands accountability on Twitter — and when it works Rosa Castillo Krewson and Lorita Copeland Daniels - July 28, 2021 Twitter offers a new way to apply collective pressure toward social change
One year on, here’s how China’s national security law has changed Hong Kong Maggie Shum - June 30, 2021 The government has used the law to crack down on freedoms of protest, speech and academic research, using the judiciary to maintain social control.
Why do so few Black women serve in high-level federal posts? Taneisha N. Means - June 23, 2021 My research finds that their confirmations take much longer than average, despite their excellent qualifications.
Five states ban transgender girls from girls’ school sports. But segregating sports by sex hurts all girls. Elizabeth Sharrow - April 16, 2021 When Title IX first segregated school sports into girls’ and boys’ teams, it was meant to be temporary.
Behind the Gaetz scandal, there’s a bigger issue: Most states have loopholes that let men exploit teenage girls Amber Lusvardi - April 13, 2021 They can bypass statutory rape charges through marriage
Asian American women legislators have been speaking out against anti-Asian violence Maneesh Arora and Hannah June Kim - March 19, 2021 On social media and in other communications, they’ve been speaking out since the former president began calling covid-19 “the China virus.”
The Supreme Court’s Voting Rights Act case could gut civil rights protections. Then what? Isaac Cui - March 15, 2021 State legislatures have introduced more than 250 bills to limit access to voting
The U.S. has spent billions trying to fix Mexico’s drug war. It’s not working. Edward Hunt - March 14, 2021 Here’s why critics want to reassess U.S. security assistance to fight drug-related violence
Black voters helped Biden get elected. His presidency will be defined by how he acts on racial equity. Rashawn Ray - February 8, 2021 Biden has diversified his Cabinet. His policies to address structural inequalities will matter even more.
Virginia may abolish the death penalty. There’s a racist history behind why a few jurisdictions use it most. Frank R. Baumgartner and Christian Caron - February 3, 2021 A death penalty opponent demonstrates outside the U.S. Penitentiary in
Biden can’t instruct the new U.S. attorneys on how to prosecute the Capitol rioters. But they’ll listen to his signals. Michael J. Nelson, Ian Ostrander, Ethan D. Boldt, and Christina L. Boyd - January 31, 2021 That’s been true at least since the 1990s, our research finds
Black women’s organizing has reshaped the electorate Nadia E. Brown and Bry Reed - December 10, 2020 From Fannie Lou Hamer to Stacey Abrams.
No, Trump is not attempting a ‘coup.’ Here’s why the distinction matters. Erica De Bruin - November 11, 2020 It’s important that we describe the crisis accurately. That will shape our response.
Republican elites are playing with fire. Here’s what nuclear strategists would tell them. Henry Farrell and Elizabeth N. Saunders - November 10, 2020 Even those who don’t take Trump’s assault on democracy seriously are dancing on the edge of political Armageddon
The Trump administration is investigating Google. Good luck pinning the giant down. Maha Rafi Atal - October 25, 2020 It’s hard to regulate Big Tech
Trump’s refusal to respect the vote shatters ‘all the historically ingrained expectations’ about American democracy Henry Farrell - September 26, 2020 A famous scholar of democracy worries that America is in deep trouble
Trump won’t cooperate with congressional oversight. Here are Congress’s options. Liz Hempowicz and Anne Tindall - September 14, 2020 The legislature’s powers of inherent contempt might allow it to punish non-compliers.
How a stronger presidency could lead to more effective government William Howell and Terry Moe - September 13, 2020 And more effective government could help reduce populism
The U.S. has become the world’s banking policeman. How did it happen? Henry Farrell - August 27, 2020 Between 2008 and 2016, global banks paid the U.S. over $34 billion in fines
Does Yale discriminate against Asian Americans and Whites? It’s the wrong question. Jennifer Lee - August 21, 2020 Here’s why you can’t compare Asians and African Americans.
The Oklahoma decision reveals why Native Americans have a hard time seeking justice Sarah Deer, Kathleen Tipler, and Dominga Cruz - July 21, 2020 Congress won’t let tribes fully punish non-Native American criminals — but federal prosecutors often won’t pursue crimes against Native Americans.
‘Defund the police’ is a debate over how to prevent crime. What do Americans believe? Kevin H. Wozniak - July 14, 2020 Here’s what makes whites less — and more — likely to support community investment
What persuades Southerners to take down Confederate symbols? Hearing it’s good for business. Jordan Peterson and Christian R. Grose - July 2, 2020 Mississippi’s chamber of commerce lobbied the state to change its flag
Trump fired a federal prosecutor investigating his allies. Can he do that? Anne Joseph O’Connell - June 24, 2020 Here’s what you need to know about this Friday night massacre — and why it matters
On DACA, the Supreme Court tells Trump: You have to follow the rules to change the rules. Andrew Rudalevige - June 19, 2020 And you can’t make up your reasons after the fact.
No, Trump probably can’t list antifa as a ‘terrorist group.’ Here’s what he’s really doing. Brian Phillips - June 11, 2020 U.S. security services are getting the message about where to focus
The U.S. labeled a white supremacist group as ‘terrorists’ for the first time. It’s less significant than you think. Anna Meier - April 29, 2020 Why pick an obscure group that’s not yet linked to an attack?
Foreign hackers have made it harder for the U.S. to prosecute them Tim Maurer and Garrett Hinck - April 7, 2020 The Justice Department dropped charges against these two Russian companies
Trump tweets that he’s America’s chief law enforcement officer. That’s only true if others let him be. William D. Adler - February 19, 2020 Impartial law enforcement is critical for democracy.
Armed rebel groups lobby in D.C., just like governments. How does that influence U.S. policy? Reyko Huang - February 6, 2020 They push for funding and recognition, and often get it
What Bill Barr doesn’t understand about the office of attorney general Cornell W. Clayton - December 17, 2019 The U.S. attorney general’s office started in the judicial branch, not the executive — and has never been entirely under presidential control
No, the Trump impeachment inquiry is not a coup Joseph Wright, John Chin, and David Carter - October 15, 2019 There were four coups attempted in 2019. Trump supported one of them.
Is the impeachment inquiry really ‘unconstitutional’? Andrew Rudalevige - October 10, 2019 There’s a long history of White House lawyers saying what the boss wants to hear.
Where else do leaders do what Trump is accused of? Start with Russia. Scott Radnitz - October 3, 2019 And he has plenty of chances to do it again.
Hate crimes are on the rise. What does it take to get state governments to respond? Regina Werum, Heather L. Scheuerman, Christie L. Parris, and Alison Faupel - August 12, 2019 We were surprised by our findings
Unrest in Puerto Rico is not just about the governor. Here are four things to know. Fernando Tormos-Aponte - July 23, 2019 There were allegations of fraud — and then came 889 pages of leaked chats.
How Huawei could survive Trump Jordan Link - June 9, 2019 In Africa, basic connectivity needs and lower prices may outweigh security concerns.
How one company’s deep web of corruption took down governments across Latin America Lindsay Mayka and Andrés Lovón - May 22, 2019 And how Brazil, Mexico and Peru responded with a wave of anticorruption measures
How the Mueller report reminds us of Watergate Andrew Rudalevige - April 19, 2019 Four curious echoes of the iconic White House abuse of power.
The attorney general’s FBI conspiracy theory is all conspiracy and no theory Henry Farrell - April 16, 2019 (Courtesy of Princeton University Press)Russell Muirhead and Nancy Rosenblum’s new
The real college admissions scandal isn’t bribes and cheating. It’s how wealth tilts the playing field. Scott E. Page - March 21, 2019 If you can choose from 18 sports and 150 clubs, you have more chances to excel.
It’s not just Paul Manafort. This is why white-collar criminals often evade harsh punishment. Brett Curry and Banks Miller - March 17, 2019 We found some surprising data in our research
Demand for Congo’s cobalt is on the rise. So is the scrutiny of mining practices. Sarah Katz-Lavigne - February 21, 2019 Congo’s contested elections in December resulted in the country’s first
Mike Pence has lasted 2 years as Trump’s VP. That may be his main accomplishment. Joel Goldstein - January 18, 2019 [caption id="attachment_82747" align="aligncenter" width="960"] President Trump and Vice President Pence
Who’s disproportionately prosecuted for human trafficking? Young black men. Vanessa Bouché and Mark Daku - January 11, 2019 [caption id="attachment_82383" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A line of school buses with
Can the president be indicted? Let’s see what the Greeks had to say about the rule of law. David Lay Williams - December 26, 2018 [caption id="attachment_81978" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Special counsel Robert S. Mueller III
The U.S. often takes hostages in trade fights. They usually aren’t live human beings Henry Farrell - December 12, 2018 [caption id="attachment_81513" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Supporters hold signs and Chinese flags
The Huawei arrest made the stock market tank. Trump may not even have known about it. Henry Farrell and Abraham Newman - December 7, 2018 The arrest and possible extradition to the United States of
Democracy is under threat in Hungary, Venezuela and Turkey. Could the U.S. be next? Stephan Haggard and Robert Kaufman - December 6, 2018 [caption id="attachment_81053" align="aligncenter" width="960"] President Trump talks with reporters on
No one is surprised that Jeff Sessions is out. But is his replacement’s appointment unconstitutional? Andrew Rudalevige - November 10, 2018 [caption id="attachment_80040" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions speaks in
What happens to police departments that collect more fines? They solve fewer crimes. Rebecca Goldstein and Young You - September 24, 2018 [caption id="attachment_78147" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Protesters march in Ferguson, Mo., in
We gathered data on every confirmed, line-of-duty police killing of a civilian in 2014 and 2015. Here’s what we found. Logan Strother, Geiguen Shin, and Charles Menifield - August 29, 2018 [caption id="attachment_77172" align="aligncenter" width="960"] In June, demonstrators protest the fatal
Has the U.S. reached a ‘tipping point’ in marijuana legalization? Daniel Mallinson and Lee Hannah - July 23, 2018 [caption id="attachment_75913" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A booth advertising a delivery service
You’ve heard the calls to #AbolishICE. Here’s what that could mean. Seth Grossman and Margo Schlanger - July 9, 2018 [caption id="attachment_75459" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Immigration activist during a rally in
Does ‘zero tolerance’ protect the U.S. from terrorism or crime? Let’s examine the evidence. Tricia Bacon - June 28, 2018 [caption id="attachment_75064" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Children stand and hold protest signs
Last week’s IG report about the FBI made a big splash. Here’s what you need to know about inspectors general. Nadia Hilliard - June 18, 2018 [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Part of the Department of Justice
Republicans are still trying to repeal Obamacare. Here’s why they are not likely to succeed Jonathan Oberlander - June 13, 2018 [caption id="attachment_54494" align="aligncenter" width="960"] This file photo taken on Nov.
President Trump says he could pardon himself. Shades of Nixon reemerge from behind the curtain. Andrew Rudalevige - June 5, 2018 [caption id="attachment_59384" align="aligncenter" width="960"] President Richard Nixon says at a
This is what’s really happening to kids at the border Michelle Brané and Margo Schlanger - May 30, 2018 Reports of mistreatment of migrant children at the U.S. border
Sanctuary cities don’t ‘breed crime.’ They encourage people to report crime. Tom Wong - April 24, 2018 [caption id="attachment_72587" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A group of sanctuary state supporters
Does President Trump actually have the power to ban bump stocks? Andrew Rudalevige - March 26, 2018 No one has ever accused Donald Trump of being humble
How flawed constitutions undermine democracy Victor Menaldo and Michael Albertus - February 26, 2018 [caption id="attachment_69689" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A replica of the Liberty Bell stands
You need two things for a successful anti-violence movement. Post-Parkland activism about guns has both. Erica Marat - February 23, 2018 The Valentine's Day mass shooting at a Parkland, Fla., high
The surprise Mueller indictment tells us how we’ve been wrong about Russian trolls Henry Farrell - February 16, 2018 [caption id="attachment_69343" align="aligncenter" width="960"] The silhouette of Robert S. Mueller
There’s a big problem with how the census measures race Richard Alba - February 6, 2018 [caption id="attachment_68907" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Activists hold signs during a news
Bauhaus, ‘Poison Pen’: The Week In One Song Christopher Federico - February 2, 2018 Devin Nunes and other Republicans push for the release of
No, Republicans haven’t ‘always’ supported voting rights until now. This is the real story. Jesse H. Rhodes - January 12, 2018 [caption id="attachment_68027" align="aligncenter" width="960"] In this file photo, a voter
Trump’s controversial election integrity commission is gone. Here’s what comes next. Charles Stewart III - January 4, 2018 [caption id="attachment_67813" align="aligncenter" width="960"] President Trump, accompanied by Vice President
President Trump claims the FBI is tainted and its reputation in tatters. This graph shows he’s wrong. David Lewis - December 16, 2017 “It’s a shame what’s happened with the FBI,” President Trump
How racial diversity makes police forces better Sounman Hong - December 5, 2017 Over the past several years, police misconduct toward racial minorities
It’s the Game of Vacancies at the CFPB. Watch out for the bureaucratic duel of conflicting statutes. Andrew Rudalevige - November 29, 2017 It’s not exactly “Game of Thrones” — federal budget procedures
How today’s despots and kleptocrats hide their stolen wealth Jason Sharman and Alex Cooley - November 14, 2017 [caption id="attachment_66191" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Yang Xiuzhu is escorted from a
State attorneys general have taken off as a partisan force in national politics Paul Nolette - October 23, 2017 [caption id="attachment_65241" align="aligncenter" width="960"] New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman
Candidate Trump attacked Obama’s executive orders. President Trump loves executive orders. Andrew Rudalevige - October 17, 2017 As he campaigned for the presidency, Donald Trump argued that
Why Trump’s pardon of Joe Arpaio isn’t like most presidential pardons Andrew Rudalevige - August 26, 2017 Last month, as President Trump made broad claims about his