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Prof. Anthea Butler

@antheabutler.bsky.social
74K followers 5.8K following 2.7K posts

Senior Koch Fellow, Wadham College, Oxford. Emerita Geraldine R. Segal Professor of American Social Thought, Penn. Ride or die Eagles fan, traveler and gin drinker.

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Reposted by Prof. Anthea Butler
Seth Cotlar @sethcotlar.bsky.social · 17h
The term “remigration” is associated with the extreme right and only came into widespread usage in 2023-4. Even Germany’s AfD avoided using the term in 2024 for fear of scaring away voters. Today the US government is celebrating the “victories” it’s racked up in the “ethnic cleansing” column.
Department of Homelan... • Follow •.• X
5h • 0
Net negative migration for the first time in HALF a CENTURY.
Americans are amassing victories NEVER seen before thanks to President Trump.
We will continue to grow our efforts to fulfill the mandate given to this administration.
REMIGRATION REPORT
94%)
3.3+
MILLION REMOVALS
INCLUDING DEPORTATIONS AND VOLUNTARY REMOVALS
ASYLUM DENIAL AT 94%
250,000
VISAS REVOKED
REVOKED
TRAVEL BANNED
FROM 39 COUNTRIES
2,600+
287(G)
AGREEMENTS
NATURALIZATIONS
DOWN
75%
1.3K
519
212
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nannking.bsky.social @nannking.bsky.social · 18h
Explore this gift article from The New York Times. You can read it for free without a subscription. www.nytimes.com/2026/10/02/u...
nytimes.com
National Science Foundation Diverted $1.4 Billion in Science Funds Mandated by Congress (Gift Article)
The move, affecting about one-fifth of the National Science Foundation’s primary research budget, is the latest sign of how the White House is asserting more control over grants.
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Lisa Margonelli @lisamargonelli.bsky.social · 18h
The protest connected Eddie Berenice Johnson and Marcus and began Johnson’s career. wacohistory.org/items/show/199
wacohistory.org
Eddie Bernice Johnson
Eddie Bernice Johnson is a champion of minority and women’s rights representing Texas in the United States House of Representatives. Not only that, she fights to support the sciences and women in STEM...
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derek guy @dieworkwear.bsky.social · 20h
Neiman Marcus closed its downtown Dallas flagship on Wednesday. The store played a notable role in the history of desegregation in Dallas. Previously, Black shoppers across the US could enter department stores, but they weren't allowed to try on clothes without adhering to certain conditions. 🧵
A notice about the Neiman Marcus store opening in downtown Dallas.An old photo of the Dallas flagship.
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Flora Cornish @floracornish.bsky.social · 18h
The elitism and entitlement and white supremacy - not just Orr who thinks he can get away with it, but Cambridge Heads and so-called leaders who think they can get away with turning a blind eye. It is not only cambridge but elitism is such a brain-rotting aspect of all this. I'm so sick of it
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Dustin A. Chacón @lingdustin.bsky.social · 21h
I've heard people make claims that AI would lead to a new Renaissance, but I didn't imagine it'd happen like this:
Screenshot of a Tweet from Pope Leo XIV. It reads: 

"In this era of artificial intelligence, it is becoming urgen to distinguish human art from what machines produce. There is an ontological difference, even before an aesthetic one, between art and what a machine can generate through statistical calculation based on millions of images created by others. Algorithms lack the spark of humanity. For this reason, the Church wishes to renew an alliance with artists and cultural institutions to safeguard our humanity."
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Karen Attiah @karenattiah.bsky.social · 22h
Today, 8 years ago, my friend, Saudi Journalist and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered.
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Berny Belvedere @bernybelvedere.bsky.social · 19h
Good piece on a bad guy:
theunpopulist.net
A Catholic Theologian Signs Up for Mass Cruelty
Yet another thinker puts his faith in the service of monstrous deportation policies
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Mike Luckovich @mluckovich.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
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stevelevitsky.bsky.social @stevelevitsky.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Lucan Way and I have been writing about competitive authoritarianism for more than 25 years. We never thought we'd write this piece. www.journalofdemocracy.org/articles/com...
journalofdemocracy.org
Competitive Authoritarianism in America | Journal of Democracy
The United States has slid into competitive authoritarianism. The slide has been modest and remains reversible—but it is real. Even after Donald Trump, American democracy will remain fragile.
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Charlie Warzel @cwarzel.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
For a long time I've wanted a sense of how trump has or hasn't interacted with chatbots (we know he posts a lot of slop sure). And this TIME anecdote about Grok arguably leading Trump into war is just extremely bracing
Since returning to office, Trump has marveled at AI’s capabilities. He is increasingly in thrall to the tech executives courting him. In December 2025, Elon Musk returned to the Oval Office for a clandestine meeting. Trump spent hours asking Grok, Musk’s AI chatbot, questions about his presidency and legacy, according to an official present. At the time, Trump was ordering missile strikes against Venezuelan boats he alleged were smuggling drugs into the U.S. He asked Grok how Venezuelans would react if the U.S. captured Maduro. According to the official present, the chatbot responded that Maduro was a repressive and deeply unpopular dictator and that many Venezuelans would likely celebrate his downfall. After Trump ordered the mission to seize Maduro, the following month, celebrations broke out in the streets. Trump, according to officials, came away thinking Grok was ingenious.
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Kate Burns @katerqburns.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Ok so i’ve known this for about a year but couldnt get anyone on the record only background. This is also why there was a split between TPUSA and Feucht. roysreport.com/amended-suit...
roysreport.com
Amended suit: Sean Feucht solicited $250K for a fully-funded tour
A donor says Sean Feucht asked him for $250,000 for a tour that was already fully funded by Charlie Kirk's organization.
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Sabrina Vourvoulias @followthelede.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
I was so upset about SCOTUS allowing "third country" deportations to resume, I wrote a column — and asked the amazing @older.bsky.social, David Unger, Francisco Goldman and Sarah Paoletti to give me their thoughts on the ruling... www.inquirer.com/opinion/scot...
inquirer.com
In a disgraceful emergency ruling, SCOTUS lets Trump resume violating human rights | Sabrina Vourvoulias
While the ruling does not make a determination on the legality of what are known as “third-country” deportations, it is being celebrated as a victory by the Trump administration.
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Prof. Anthea Butler @antheabutler.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
oh my flight is on one today...captain came on and told everyone to take their seats and behave .....whew
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Prof. Anthea Butler @antheabutler.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Folks, I'm here to tell you that holy wars often end badly. This is no exception.
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Paul Rosenberg @paulrosenberg.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
New from @fredclarkson.bsky.social at Church & State magazine. He describes it as an NAR 101 that incorporates updates approaches to how we talk about it and what we've learned. Everyone on the right wants to rule the world, but these folks have the most followers! www.au.org/the-latest/c...
au.org
The New Apostolic Reformation’s religious quest for world “dominion” - Americans United
Long ago Alexander the Great deployed religious myths to conquer much of the known world. Today, a different religious vision animates an intention to conquer the world.
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MeidasTouch @meidastouch.com · 01/10/2026
🚨 BREAKING: The family of Renee Good and her partner, Rebecca Good, have filed two federal lawsuits over Good’s January killing by ICE agent Jonathan Ross in Minneapolis. 1/
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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 01/10/2026
I recommend people read this to get a sense of the president's grave cognitive impairment. Trump is either unwilling or unable (or maybe both) to answer the questions he's actually asked, so he just rants and raves while the interviewers do their best to provide structure to his random brain firings
time.com
Read TIME’s ‘What Trump Has Built’ Interview Transcript
The U.S. President discussed the war in Iran, press freedom, AI, and more ahead of the midterm elections.
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SummerReed @cafsbsky.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
...70% have no criminal record. We are living in WW II era Germany, where most of the populace pretends notto see. www.npr.org/2026/09/23/n...
npr.org
ICE is looking into 'mobile detention facilities'
Buried in the paperwork for Immigration and Customs Enforcement's expansion in Pennsylvania is a document requesting "mobile detention facilities."
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WylieCat @wyliecat.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Around 98% of immigrant detainees in Louisiana are housed in for-profit or privately managed facilities/local rural jails contracted for federal immigration detention. Texas has the highest number of ICE detention facilities and population in the United States. www.nytimes.com/2026/10/01/u...
nytimes.com
New Facility at Louisiana Airport to Hold Immigrant Children and Families (Gift Article)
The site in Alexandria, La., a major expansion of the Trump administration’s busiest deportation hub, will streamline and accelerate removals.
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Olivia Messer @oliviamesser.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
This 33-year-old nurse told the FBI she knew she was “going to set him free” after border patrol agents brought in a man whose face was bloodied and seriously injured. She treated him and helped him escape, and she faces charges now. He got away, and they never relocated him.
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Chris Geidner @chrisgeidner.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
I've been covering the death penalty in depth for a dozen years now, and few nights have been as disturbing and dispiriting as tonight. This was a moral, ethical, and legal failure on several different fronts from many different actors. It wasn't *just* SCOTUS, though they sure were a key part.
lawdork.com
After SCOTUS allowed Tennessee execution to go ahead, Tennessee botched the execution
SCOTUS, over the liberals’ dissent, cleared the way for Tennessee to kill Christa Pike. The alarming order from DC was followed by even more disturbing developments in Tennessee.
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Prof. Anthea Butler @antheabutler.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Sobering but good thread about those of you who think it will be allover after election day.
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Prof. Anthea Butler @antheabutler.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
We had a great conversation about this, and yes, you should read it because dress is a great signal for reading what's going on these days...
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Andrea Grimes @andreagrimes.com · 30/09/2026
this is one of my favorite things i've written for a long time. i don't often get the chance to even lightly report stuff, and i had some of the most fascinating conversations of my whole life while unpacking this piece.
theflytrapmedia.com
The 'MAGA Makeover' is Over, and Its Replacement is (Even More) Terrifying
Fascists are using fashion to normalize radical perspectives and groups into normie society.
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The Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
“The more interesting thing to me: why is Peter Thiel doing this lecture series in NASHVILLE?” @nashvillescene.com reporter Eli Motycka got recordings of Vance’s billionaire pimp Thiel’s antichrist lectures, wonders if he’s here bc of a local anti-government strain or evangelical churches
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evy kwong @evystadium.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
whenever you feel like you’re too small to change anything know that citizens from small towns and cities that speak up against flock and axon cameras in their communities (and sometimes get arrested for it) are fighting and sometimes succeeding against this
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Greg Sargent @gregsargent.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Something remarkable is happening: James Talarico is running an expansively pro-immigrant campaign in Texas, a state Trump won by 14 points, speaking in Biblical terms about our duty to "the stranger." And it's resonating. That's seismic. 1/ (new piece) newrepublic.com/article/2160...
newrepublic.com
In Texas, Something Seismic Is Happening—and It’s All Trump’s Fault
Thanks to the economy and ICE, Trump has lost Texas Latinos. And James Talarico is developing a humane pro-immigrant message that’s resonating—even in this ultra-Trumpy state.
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Frederick Clarkson @fredclarkson.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Don't miss this major article on the New Apostolic Reformation in The New Republic by bsky.app/profile/laur... may help jump start people in the political and journalism communities in need a jump to recognize this historic and powerful movement. newrepublic.com/article/2150...
newrepublic.com
We Need to Talk About the Apocalypse
End-times prophecy, pro-war prayer circles, Democrats as demons: Christian dominionism’s influence is everywhere in the second Trump administration—and increasingly, within America itself. Can democra...
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NPR @npr.org · 29/09/2026
Jaimie Bethea, a 21-year-old mass communication specialist, had been deployed on the USS Fort Lauderdale for more than 11 months. She died by suicide in June. n.pr/4ymLaYr
n.pr
A young sailor died by suicide. Her family blames health care gaps and long deployment
Jaimie Bethea, a 21-year-old mass communication specialist, had been deployed on the USS Fort Lauderdale for more than 11 months. She died by suicide in June.
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The Mouthy Renegade Writer @mouthyrenegade.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
So Jimmy Kimmel had his wife parody Natalie Harp on his show. She played his unhinged assistant. It was as ridiculously funny as you might imagine.😅
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ArtButMakeItSports @artbutmakeitsports.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Man in a Blue Mantle, by John Singer Sargent, 1891, 📸 via @cjzero.bsky.social
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Ishedeadyet @jennifernz.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
They took paradise and put in a parking lot…
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NFL Daily News @insidenflnews.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
🚨 Status alert: Eagles QB Jalen Hurts was evaluated for a concussion and cleared.
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The New Republic @newrepublic.com · 27/09/2026
Trump is banning students majoring in degrees that don’t make enough money from taking out college loans. Degrees for social work, art, religious studies, teaching aides, and music will be hit the hardest. trib.al/kQdKbY1
trib.al
Trump Moves to Cut Off Student Loans for Tons of Degrees
Under a new rule, if your degree doesn’t make enough money, you won’t be able to get a student loan.
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Prof. Anthea Butler @antheabutler.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Let me go to bed. I'm reading too many bad takes and I want to fight folks.
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Prof. Anthea Butler @antheabutler.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
WTF BIRDS
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Prof. Anthea Butler @antheabutler.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
I don't use that hell site anymore but Brian Dawkins posted a response to that DHS crap video..I'm writing something about this for tomorrow
Picture of former eagles player Brian Dawkins saying he did not give permission to anyone other than business associates to use his NIL
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Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Higher Education risks irreversible damage, says British Academy president Prof Susan Smith, with humanities and social sciences disciplines disappearing in many cold spots. BA is tracking subject provision & calling for a comprehensive review www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/news/stateme...
thebritishacademy.ac.uk
British Academy President: UK higher education crisis risks irreversible damage
As course closures, shrinking provision and widening regional inequalities threaten the future of UK higher education and research, President of the British Academy, Susan J Smith calls for an immedia...
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Dr William Allchorn @willallchorn.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Compare & Contrast: “US President Donald Trump said: "We had them under view for a long time, and we got them." Vs “Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) is leading the investigation … the operation was not intelligence led.” www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
What we know about RAF Fairford incident and counter-terror probe
Five men have been arrested as counter-terror police lead an investigation into a major incident near the airbase.
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Will Bunch @willbunch.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
You wouldn't know it from reading the headlines, but the president's downward mental health spiral is the biggest story in America right now We won't salvage democracy unless the media and pols start speaking the truth about Trump's damaged mind My new column www.inquirer.com/opinion/trum...
inquirer.com
We need to find the words for Trump’s madness before things blow up | Will Bunch
The media and politicians haven’t pinned down anything resembling a suitable description for a president’s downward spiral or the looming battle for U.S. democracy.
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Stephanie Farr @farfarraway.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Proud to work at the @inquirer.com, where today our entire five-page Opinion section is about the many ways Trump’s White House has become a house of corruption. The Inquirer is keeping Freedom of the Press alive in the city where it was founded. But that’s not all! 🧵
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Prof. Anthea Butler @antheabutler.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Once again he curses the home team 🤣
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Jules Boykoff @julesboykoff.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
"Institutions that recruit international athletes & benefit from their athletic labor must build systems capable of supporting them when their immigration status places them at risk," write @nkalamb.bsky.social Simran Kaur Sethi, & @derekcrim.bsky.social in a powerful & important essay
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Prof. Anthea Butler @antheabutler.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
The Pope is leaving Paris for Lourdes and one of the Air France pilots is a woman. Funny, women can fly planes, but can't become priests...😡
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Larry Glickman @larryglickman.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
The NY Times has repeatedly used the phrase “to heel” in reference to Trump’s crackdown on universities, implicitly clarifying that Trump goal is to establish dominance. And what exactly constitutes this “woke” ideology in higher education?
During the meeting, Mr. Trump repeatedly complained about his administration’s failure to bring Harvard University in particular to heel. The administration has been unable to hammer out a deal with the nation’s oldest and wealthiest university, a central plank of his broader push against “woke” ideology in higher education.
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SharG @hapkidogal.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
theguardian.com
‘Let’s tell the truth’: Smithsonian head given standing ovation as he hits back at Trump attacks
Outgoing secretary Lonnie Bunch rejects claims the institution is unpatriotic, telling audience ‘You cannot understand all without illuminating the dark corners’
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Prof. Anthea Butler @antheabutler.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
You should read this piece about Jim Crow theobros. It says a lot about the racial underpinnings that I talk about in my book White Evangelical Racism; The Politics of Morality in America. religionnews.com/2026/09/24/t...
religionnews.com
The rise of the Jim Crow theobros
(RNS) — A group of Reformed pastors and influencers has wedded old-school segregationist theology with the hypermasculinity of the manosphere and the savvy of the attention economy to preach and sell ...
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Prof. Anthea Butler @antheabutler.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Yep and couple that with the h1b visa costs and higher ed international profs aren’t coming either
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