Lizzy Shackelford

Elizabeth Shackelford: Donald Trump applies his strongman approach to Latin America President Donald Trump seems intent on promoting autocratic leaders in Brazil and Argentina and bringing perceived enemies to heel.

Across Latin America, “Trump seems intent on showcasing America’s power to promote his favored autocratic leaders and bring perceived enemies to heel. How these actions promote the interests of American citizens, however, remains unclear.” @chicagotribune.com www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/17/c...

Can you put into words what that purpose is? You and the frog have really become icons of this protest. There’s been a nice overall whimsy that has shown up. The frog is amazing. We had a bunch of other inflatable people here last night, too. I saw people playing Twister the other day. What they rely on is fear. So by coming out in an absurdist manner, it speaks to them, to some extent, that we’re actually not that afraid. It also dismantles their narrative a little bit. When they try to describe this situation as “war-torn,” it becomes much harder to take them seriously when they have to post a video saying [U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security] Kristi Noem is up on the balcony staring over the Antifa Army and it’s, like, eight journalists and five protesters and one of them is in a chicken suit.

www.wweek.com/culture/2025...

Elizabeth Shackelford: Gen Z-led protests are spreading rapidly across the globe The globe is seeing the most significant spike in dissent since the Arab Spring all led by young people.

Young people want better governance and are fed up with suffering from poor services and economies while their leaders get rich around them and inequality grows.” My latest in @chicagotribune.com www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/03/c...

Trump donor Larry Ellison’s Oracle will oversee TikTok’s algorithm.

His media company owns CBS News and is plotting a bid for Warner Bros., which owns CNN.

When billionaires take control of communication platforms, it’s not a win for free speech. It’s a win for oligarchy.

Elizabeth Shackelford: Why we need dissent Officials of the Donald Trump administration made direct threats against free speech this week.

“The threats are so vague & government power so extensive, this will undoubtedly drive widespread self-censorship & suppress free expression out of fear. One need not eradicate all dissent to be effective. Punishing a few will quiet many. “ @chicagotribune.com www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/19/c...

Elizabeth Shackelford: China is making autocracy great again With most U.S. adversaries present at China’s military parade, this was a show of unity in opposition to America’s global leadership.

“When the U.S. government is conducting foreign relations like a mob boss, [Xi’s] call has a new appeal. He can now credibly offer China as a more reliable and predictable alternative to a fickle America.” My latest in @chicagotribune.com www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/05/c...

Elizabeth Shackelford: Worse than ignoring human rights, America is twisting the meaning The Trump administration is twisting the concept of human rights in support of a political agenda that undermines equality, justice and human security.

“Rather than ignore human rights, the administration is twisting the concept in support of a political agenda that undermines equality, justice and human security by reinforcing the rights of the strong at the expense of the weak.” My latest in Chicago Tribune. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/22/c...

This is what happens in the United States now for simply recording their behavior.
Disgraceful. That man was unarmed. And completely within his rights.

Elizabeth Shackelford: Gaza’s starvation is America’s shame It’s time for us all to face the reality that Israel’s government is committing atrocities in Gaza and is doing so with American support.

“The people of Gaza deserve basic humanity regardless of Hamas’ actions. If you disagree with that statement, look at the photos of skeletal children in Gaza — who make up half of the strip’s population — and tell me they are terrorists who deserve that fate.” www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/08/c...

Elizabeth Shackelford: Burning down America’s best tool for peace and prosperity As a former U.S. diplomat, I know that these cuts at the State Department will cost us as the world moves into a more conflict-ridden future.

“As the world moves undoubtedly into a more conflict-ridden future, we are undermining our own ability to navigate that world safely.” My latest in the @chicagotribune.com www.chicagotribune.com/2025/07/25/c...

Elizabeth Shackelford: Donald Trump wants to deport migrants to South Sudan. What awaits them isn’t pretty. I have worked in South Sudan as a diplomat. It is on the brink of civil war, and its government has a horrific human rights record.

"As someone who has worked in South Sudan, I can speak to what migrants could face there specifically, and it isn’t pretty," @lizzyshack.bsky.social writes on @chicagotribune.com

www.chicagotribune.com/2025/07/11/c...

Elizabeth Shackelford: East African governments turn up repression as the United States turns away Once, the U.S. government used its influence to prevent human rights abuses overseas. Now, Washington is practically silent.

Repression is on the rise in East Africa during a time when the relationship between America and the world has changed. The White House has made clear that it will no longer fight human rights abuses, @lizzyshack.bsky.social writes on @chicagotribune.com.

www.chicagotribune.com/2025/06/13/c...

Opinion | This Is What Autocracy Looks Like

“it’s hard to think of a clearer signpost on the road to dictatorship.” www.nytimes.com/2025/06/09/o...

Elizabeth Shackelford: Sanctions relief is worth a shot for Syria’s chance at recovery Syria remains at high risk. Sanctions relief doesn’t guarantee a stable path ahead, but without it, the country has no real chance of one.

The new Syrian leader has not earned blind trust from the world, but for the sake of Syria’s beleaguered people, we should give him the chance to succeed. My latest in @chicagotribune.com www.chicagotribune.com/2025/05/30/c...

Elizabeth Shackelford: America’s president is for sale The Qatari jet may be the flashiest, but it’s only the latest in a flood of corruption now manipulating U.S. foreign policy.

“Corruption might be business as usual under monarchs, where the very purpose of a state is to serve its king. But here in the US the government’s purpose is to serve the people. It’s now up to Congress to remind Trump of that.” My latest in @chicagotribune.com www.chicagotribune.com/2025/05/16/c...

No Country For Due Process The Trump regime kidnapped innocent immigrants, such as Abrego Garcia and Rumeysa Ozturk, without due process. Today, they arrested Mayor Baraka. Tomorrow, they'll come after you.

My latest: "No Country For Due Process"

The Trump regime kidnapped innocent immigrants, such as Abrego Garcia and Rumeysa Ozturk, without due process. Today, they arrested Mayor Baraka. Tomorrow, they'll come after you.

thelefthook.substack.com/p/no-country...

Live debate: 'Are sanctions effective?' NEW YORK (May 8, 2025) — The Human Rights Foundation, in partnership with Open to Debate, will host a timely high-level debate around the question, ‘Are Sanctions an Effective Policy Tool?‘ at the Osl...

So who is joining me at the #OsloFreedomForum ! Looking forward to it! hrf.org/latest/live-...

Opinion | West Point Is Supposed to Educate, Not Indoctrinate

This is an important read. For those who thought the military might save us, it’s some bad news www.nytimes.com/2025/05/08/o...

Elizabeth Shackelford: Make it make sense. What is motivating Donald Trump’s foreign policy? Russia isn’t just getting its way on Ukraine. The Trump administration has taken other actions on Vladimir Putin’s wish list.

Make it make sense. What is motivating Donald Trump’s foreign policy? “Once you eliminate all the answers that make no sense, the answer that does may be the right one.” My latest in the @chicagotribune.com www.chicagotribune.com/2025/05/02/c...

The confused children looking on at Pete Hegseth’s meltdown at the WH Easter Egg Roll are all of us right now.

Just received an email from our faculty system that started: “Dear Error fetching name…” and it just feels apropos of life in 2025….

Trump Draft Order Would Drastically Overhaul U.S. State Department The draft executive order to be signed by President Trump would eliminate Africa operations and shut down bureaus working on democracy, human rights and refugee issues.

Make this make sense. Only one reasonable explanation for destroying our alliances, crashing our economy, & now walking away from global influence and engagement full stop. Who benefits from this? Not America. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/20/u...

Elizabeth Shackelford: President Donald Trump’s war on due process should terrify us all As the White House flouts the Supreme Court, we have reached a constitutional crisis whose consequences put our most basic freedoms at risk.

If the government can bestow any punishment or fate upon anyone it chooses by simply calling that person a terrorist, it could happen to any of us…If there is no remedy for Abrego Garcia… any of us could be next.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/04/18/c...

So You Want to Be a Dissident? A practical guide to courage in Trump’s age of fear.

““All power-holders, even the most ruthless and corrupt, rely on the consent and coöperation of ordinary people,” www.newyorker.com/news/the-wee...

What will Trump’s tariffs impact first? Food prices Donald Trump says his tariff policy is “doing really well” but consumer sentiment has fallen as the President’s trade war escalates, according to a preliminary April report from the University of Mich...

I joined a panel on MSNBC on Friday. Not being an economist, I was not expecting to get the economics questions 😕 But hopefully still shared some helpful insights. Always an adventure… www.msnbc.com/msnbc/watch/...

Good sign that outrage works. But holy hell the unabashed racism of this administration is astounding. And its effort to erase history should terrify us all.

@pkrugman.bsky.social spot on:”I’m actually glad Trump II is proving…such a disaster for the economy.If he had exercised some restraint…simply claimed credit for the very good economy Biden left him, many wealthy people would have cheered him on while he destroyed democracy.Now they may turn on him.

Opinion | A Playbook for Law Firms and Colleges to Stand Up to President Trump Law firms and universities do not need to capitulate. Here’s how they can fight back.

“The playbook begins with a recognition that capitulation is doomed.” www.nytimes.com/2025/04/06/o...

A white protest sign being held up by the arm and hand of someone wearing a ball cap, ahead in the crowd. In green, it has the pixelated image of a covered wagon from the old Oregon Trail computer game, and it says “You have died of Republican policy.”

In DC:

Proud to be part of the nationwide rally today. #HandsOff our rights and democracy!