Ames Grawert

1. In an unusual press briefing today in AZ, Sec. Kristi Noem made the extraordinary (but vaguely delivered) claim that as head of DHS, she has authorities over elections, including to make sure that “the right people are voting and electing the right leaders to lead this country.” That is false.

Our toddler picked up and hid the Valentine’s Day card I bought for my wife. No idea where it is, and she can’t tell me. It’s the relationship equivalent of “dog ate my homework” except it actually happened.

Amazing news. It's hard to overstate how important this period is and how few primary sources there are on it.

Read my colleague @brennancenter.org @seanmorales-doyle.bsky.social in today's @nytimes.com

www.nytimes.com/2026/02/12/o...

NEW: Another NIH institute director hasn't been renewed — the director of NIAMS (arthritis, musculoskeletal and skin diseases institute).

That leaves a whopping 15 of 27 institutes and centers without a permanent director.

As a dad this is really upsetting. "I love her, I'm so proud of her, and I will support her whatever decision she makes" is right there.

"Eliminate presidential immunity" needs to become as common a refrain as "eliminate Citizens United"

This could be done with a few light mods to Witcher 3

Great day for court historians, matched only by the birthday of Procopius, who secretly wrote an entire book about how his patron the emperor Justinian was a demon

Today as every day, the students, staff, and alums of Rice University are the real SuperbOwls 🦉

What a heartbreaking development. CIA's World Factbook was one of my first introductions to real policy and data work, decades ago, as a new member of the Model UN team.

Wild to me that the average 3D printer works more seamlessly and reliably than the average paper printer, despite the latter being a decades-older and far simpler technology.

Twelfth Night - Entire Play | Folger Shakespeare Library Named for the twelfth night after Christmas, the end of the Christmas season, Twelfth Night plays with love and power. The Countess Olivia, a woman with her own household, attracts Duke (or Count) Ors...

Or Shakespeare... www.folger.edu/explore/shak...

Suspend is an incredible feature

This is my struggle with Libby too! Just had a book become available after a ten month wait and... do I still want it? Maybe???

Here's the link to the full letter, which lists tariffs, USDA staff cuts, and reductions in foreign assistance (read: USAID) as factors weighing on farmers:

eu-assets.contentstack.com/v3/assets/bl...

The hits just keep on coming.

@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/u...

The time has come for Tempest: Remastered

So good. One of those things that's wildly popular but actually as good as people say it is. Luckily I still have a 15mL bottle left!

An empty bottle or Iroshizuku Kon-Peki on a red leather desk, next to a crimson Nakaya fountain pen being held up by a plastic crab figurine. The crab is a famous fountain pen accessory popularized by Ahnitol. This is one of the originals, accept no substitutes.

End of an era! I've had this ink bottle for longer than I've been married. So many notebook pages full of cerulean blue...

Free product idea for local coffee shops and bakeries serving young families: KPop Demon Hunter Cake Pops

You have my attention

Helpful context on the complicated and interconnected reasons violent crime has been declining since 2022 ⬇️

Myths and Facts About Crime and Justice Reform Politicians and pundits frequently use false narratives to justify overly punitive policies that won’t make communities safer. The Brennan Center counteracts these myths through research on crime rate...

For more research on crime trends, see our recent analyses. www.brennancenter.org/series/myths...

Myths and Realities: Understanding Recent Trends in Violent Crime The recent rise in crime is extraordinarily complex. Policymakers and the public should not jump to conclusions or expect easy answers.

Another related factor: the receding influence of the Covid-19 pandemic, which severely disrupted social and economic life. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...

The Great Crime Decline Is Happening All Across the Country Even cities with understaffed police departments have made record gains.

Why could crime have declined? Leading criminologists like @johnkroman.bsky.social increasingly point to state, local, and federal investments in crime prevention. www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...

ICYMI: Murder Rate Plunges to 125-Year Low as President Trump Restores Law and Order Under President Donald J. Trump’s leadership, America is safer than it has been in over a century — and brand new data proves it. A new report shows

The Trump Administration recently tried to take credit for these declines. Reality is much more complicated. To start, 2024's declines are a continuation of a trend that began around 2022, before Trump's second term in office. www.whitehouse.gov/articles/202...

Will Murder Fall Again in 2026? Gazing into the crystal ball

First, CCJ's report studies data from city police departments — our best sources of information until the FBI's year-end report. City police data often predicts national trends and other analysts studying it (@jeffasher.bsky.social) have found similar results. jasher.substack.com/p/will-murde...

Crime Trends in U.S. Cities: Year-End 2025 Update - Council on Criminal Justice With homicide down 21%, the 2025 homicide rate may reach the lowest level ever recorded in law enforcement or public health data going back to 1900, CCJ’s year-end analysis finds.

A new report from the @counciloncj.org shows a 21% decline in murder from 2024-25 and drops in other forms of violent crime. It provides strong evidence of continuing, nearly across-the-board declines in crime and especially violent crime. Some quick notes & context. counciloncj.org/crime-trends...

Of course! Wishing you better times ahead. Stay safe!