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Robert N. Stavins

@robertstavins.bsky.social
1.1K followers 137 following 878 posts

A.J. Meyer Professor of Energy & Economic Development, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA USA; University Fellow, Resources for the Future; Research Associate, NBER -- But Just My Opinions

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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
A Must-Read Article paulkrugman.substack.com/p/the-trump-...
paulkrugman.substack.com
The Trump Administration is a Cesspit of Corruption
And fighting it should be at the heart of the Democratic agenda
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Worth reading this! heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/october-1-...
heathercoxrichardson.substack.com
October 1, 2026
John Hudson of the Washington Post reported this evening that the Trump administration is openly defying Congress, taking $52 million in military assistance lawmakers appropriated for European and Mid...
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
www.nytimes.com/2026/09/29/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | Trump Is Going Viral in the Worst Ways
On the technological, diplomatic and biological fronts, Trump is creating a disaster.
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
This is worth reading, imho. open.substack.com/pub/defiance...
open.substack.com
Trump wanted the power to make arrests without providing a reason. That's beyond "scary."
The Trump White House seriously studied how to "cancel" habeas corpus, your right to know why the government has arrested you.
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
I Approve of Trump’s Ad paulkrugman.substack.com/p/i-approve-...
paulkrugman.substack.com
I Approve of Trump’s Ad
No, I haven’t lost my mind
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
paulkrugman.substack.com/p/donald-the...
paulkrugman.substack.com
Donald the Deadbeat Does Diesel
Trump gets ready to stiff more contractors
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
True, true … paulkrugman.substack.com/p/its-underw...
paulkrugman.substack.com
It’s “Underwear on the Outside” Time
Trump’s continuing downward spiral into sundowning
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
A really excellent, brief discussion of another important issue associated with Trump's behavior -- between two Harvard Law professors, Jack Goldsmith and John Coates. www.execfunctions.org/p/is-trump-m...
execfunctions.org
Is Trump Media’s Early-Access Feed Lawful?
Why a 50-millisecond jump on the president’s posts may implicate insider trading laws
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Worth watching paulkrugman.substack.com/p/will-crypt...
paulkrugman.substack.com
Will Crypto Crash the Blue Wave?
AI gets the attention, but the Big Scam is still spending big
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Fear Strikes Out paulkrugman.substack.com/p/fear-strik...
paulkrugman.substack.com
Fear Strikes Out
But the hatred remains
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
The Harvard Kennedy School is launching a two-position faculty search in Energy and Climate Change. If you want to recommend someone (including yourself) do NOT post here or write to me, but rather go to this website: academicpositions.harvard.edu/postings/16795
academicpositions.harvard.edu
Energy and Climate Change Cluster Search
.The Kennedy School invites application for two faculty positions in Energy and Climate Change. The first position is for a tenure-track scholar, with a preference for political science or economics, ...
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Why Is Trump Still Boosting AI? paulkrugman.substack.com/p/why-is-tru...
paulkrugman.substack.com
Why Is Trump Still Boosting AI?
Because it’s the only thing he has left
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Good question: Why didn't major elites stand up to Trump? www.nytimes.com/2026/09/14/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | They Could Afford to Stand Up to Trump. Why Didn’t They? (Gift Article)
The more the logic of capitalism pervades the rest of life, the less room there is for compassion, honor or heroism.
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Worth reading paulkrugman.substack.com/p/trade-peac...
paulkrugman.substack.com
Trade, Peace and War
Welcome to the dark side of globalization
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
The Fix Was Almost In www.nytimes.com/2026/09/13/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | The Fix Was Almost In
The midterms dodge their first MAGA bullet. It won’t be the last.
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Let’s pray that this doesn’t happen heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/september-...
heathercoxrichardson.substack.com
September 12, 2026
On Thursday, in The New Republic, conservative judge J.
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Trump’s ego and his stupid trade policy. paulkrugman.substack.com/p/adding-inj...
paulkrugman.substack.com
Adding Injury to Insult, Canada Edition
This idiotic trade war will hurt more than people realize
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Incredible! The President of the United States is completely unhinged . heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/september-...
heathercoxrichardson.substack.com
September 7, 2026
Since yesterday, President Donald J.
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Excellent essay! Not So Supreme, Mr. Roberts www.nytimes.com/2026/09/05/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | Not So Supreme, Mr. Roberts
Courting authoritarianism with a rapacious Trump.
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Under Trump, the USA is no longer trustworthy paulkrugman.substack.com/p/ingots-we-...
paulkrugman.substack.com
Ingots We No Longer Trust
America’s word is as good as gold — that is, unreliable
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Trump administration won't give up on its quest to destroy American higher education. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/03/b...
nytimes.com
Trump Administration Moves to Strip Schools That Aid Minority Students (Gift Article)
The Treasury Department released rules that would prevent schools with race-based programs from qualifying for tax-exempt status, a threat to both higher education and other private schools.
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Short and sweet -- the Hits Keep Coming paulkrugman.substack.com/p/the-hits-k...
paulkrugman.substack.com
The Hits Keep Coming
How much chaos can the economy take?
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Very well said: Trump Is in Open Revolt Against the Constitution www.nytimes.com/2026/08/29/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | Trump Is in Open Revolt Against the Constitution
The mail-in voting fiasco is the latest proof that we have another reconstruction ahead of us.
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
At 85 years of age, George F. Will retains his fire power ... wapo.st/4zHlwyH
wapo.st
Opinion | A sickening moral slum of an administration
Regarding Venezuela, Ukraine and much more, Trump and his acolytes are worse than simply incompetent.
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Biden Derangement Syndrome paulkrugman.substack.com/p/biden-dera...
paulkrugman.substack.com
Biden Derangement Syndrome
Even the Trump sycophants realize that they’re in big trouble
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
The Man Preaching “Lethal Force” Is Making the Military Weaker open.substack.com/pub/adamkinz...
open.substack.com
The Man Preaching “Lethal Force” Is Making the Military Weaker
Pete Hegseth is driving out the combat-tested leaders America needs when the battlefield commands it.
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
The pettiness of the Trump administration is laughable. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/24/a...
nytimes.com
Trump Officials Propose Sale of ‘Woke’ Painting by Kehinde Wiley (Gift Article)
The State Department recently removed the painting of Dominicans from a U.S. embassy, noting it was by the artist who made Barack Obama’s presidential portrait.
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
The right-wing Wall Street Journal editorial page pulls no punches regarding the idiocy of Trump's latest trade war with Canada ... www.wsj.com/opinion/the-...
wsj.com
Opinion | The Dumbest Trade War Revisited
Trump’s decision to escalate a tariff brawl with Canada makes no economic or political sense.
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
To our friends in Canada paulkrugman.substack.com/p/the-moose-...
paulkrugman.substack.com
The Moose That Roared
Why Trump will lose his war with Canada
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
So true ! Trump’s Lust for Vengeance Is Turning Into a Farce www.nytimes.com/2026/08/19/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | Trump’s Lust for Vengeance Is Turning Into a Farce
Revenge shapes the president’s priorities, drives his actions and structures the decisions of his government.
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Always interesting and sometimes entertaining www.nytimes.com/2026/08/22/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | The Right Is Rethinking MAGA. The Left Is Rethinking ‘Woke.’
As primary results trickle in, both parties are wrestling with what they stand for — and where they’re headed.
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Important and very disturbing … Trump’s Election Interference Is Eroding American Democracy www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
nytimes.com
Opinion | Trump’s Election Interference Is Eroding American Democracy
The president is prioritizing his own interests over the national interest.
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Whether or not you agree, this is worth reading, imho www.nytimes.com/2026/08/18/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | Yes, Woke 1.0 Was Crazy. Now Where’s the Accountability?
The damage was real and long-lasting.
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Trump’s behavior is simply shameful paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-new-leve...
paulkrugman.substack.com
A New Level of Trumpian Evil
North Korea is the worst government on Earth; Trump prefers it to the prosperous democracy next door
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Incredible. Almost too absurd to believe. South Korea Hurt Trump’s Feelings. So He’s Siding With North Korea. open.substack.com/pub/adamkinz...
open.substack.com
South Korea Hurt Trump’s Feelings. So He’s Siding With North Korea.
He is undermining a vital alliance because South Korea had the nerve to tell him no.
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Authoritarian regime is essentially here. Listen to this from start to finish. paulkrugman.substack.com/p/the-misery...
paulkrugman.substack.com
The Misery Will Continue Until Morale Improves
Why Trump is eviscerating the military
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/august-15-...
heathercoxrichardson.substack.com
August 15, 2026
On Monday, August 10, Todd Blanche took the oath of office as attorney general, administered by federal appeals court judge Emil Bove, another of Trump’s defense lawyers before moving to the Departmen...
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
A helpful explanation … paulkrugman.substack.com/p/why-isnt-t...
paulkrugman.substack.com
Why Isn’t the Price of Oil Even Higher?
This is your economy on crack (spread)
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Just appalling. What more can I say ? open.substack.com/pub/paulkrug...
open.substack.com
The Rise of the Measles-Industrial Complex
Why MAGA wants children to get sick and die
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Listen to this! open.substack.com/pub/paulkrug...
open.substack.com
What Malta Tells Us About Oligarchy
Europe is weak on tax cheats. Trump is on their side
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Painful to read about this arch … open.substack.com/pub/adamkinz...
open.substack.com
A Triumphal Arch For A President With No Triumph
The president is spending billions on a failing war—and may spend millions more on a gilded monument celebrating nothing.
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
A liar and an evil narcissist…
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
It may drive you crazy, but it’s worth reading … open.substack.com/pub/adamkinz...
open.substack.com
The Unraveling of RFK Jr.
The HHS Secretary’s disastrous CNN interview spotlights the risks of a presidency that refuses to admit mistakes.
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Is Paul Krugman being too optimistic ? open.substack.com/pub/paulkrug...
open.substack.com
The Oligarchs are Doubling Down on Republicans
And Democrats should make the most of it
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
His flagrant dishonesty and corruption are truly incredible ! open.substack.com/pub/heatherc...
open.substack.com
August 2, 2026
Friday’s dismissal of the Department of Justice case against David Hearn for vandalism of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool came days after Hearn’s lawyers asked for transcripts of the grand jury p...
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
The War That Could Swallow the World www.nytimes.com/2026/08/02/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | World War Two-and-a-Half Is Breaking Out
Whatever is happening in Iran, it isn’t working.
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Absolutely must-read story … open.substack.com/pub/heatherc...
open.substack.com
August 1, 2026
In a classic Friday night news dump, the Department of Justice last night moved to dismiss the criminal charges against David Hearn, the U.S.
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
More about the war on facts open.substack.com/pub/paulkrug...
open.substack.com
Reality is a Communist Plot
Of MAGA and the totalitarian mindset
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Pulling Blanche’s nomination, even temporarily, represents an extraordinary demonstration of his willingness to place survival of a deal to preserve a personal windfall over his desire to secure a Senate-confirmed nominee to head the Justice Department. www.nytimes.com/live/2026/07...
nytimes.com
Trump Live Updates: President Says He May Temporarily Drop Todd Blanche AG Nomination
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Robert N. Stavins @robertstavins.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
This is well written, and worth reading, imho ... open.substack.com/pub/defiance...
open.substack.com
They lie about the numbers. All of them.
Like autocratic regimes before them, the Trump administration has taken to fudging the numbers on everything. Even casualties.
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