Andrew Whitehead

How to Measure Public Support for Political Violence Abstract. With low but rising levels of violent political threats and violent acts by civilians in the United States, researchers increasingly want to meas

After nearly a decade measuring American public support for political violence, @nathankalmoe.bsky.social and I have published a somewhat comprehensive guide to measuring these attitudes. This includes historical comparisons and responses to common critiques. doi.org/10.1093/poq/...

I don’t remember Trump campaigning on Americans needing to make financial sacrifices for foreign wars. bsky.app/profile/atru...

A society that allows acts of defiance isn’t a society without harmony. Speaking up for our values is often what makes workplaces, communities, and institutions stronger.

As America turns 250, Joseph Ellis examines the founders' promise and their failures With a 250th birthday in sight, we wanted to ask Americans what it means to be an American and reflect on what the founders built, who they left out and what in that 250-year history has been left unr...

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Joseph Ellis reflects on the nation’s founding promises and contradictions alongside KF Fanning Fellow Judy Woodruff for #AmericaAtACrossroads.

a man wearing headphones is sitting in front of a microphone and saying what are we doing ALT: a man wearing headphones is sitting in front of a microphone and saying what are we doing

Wait a tic... the image says "today", as in, this was written and posted, today, March 6th, 2026??????????????????

Yes, I used that on purpose because that is exactly how they see them. Glad you caught it, and I'm sure many miss it as well.

I dunno Andre, have you SEEN the size of their megachurches?

I wrote 2 books that lay out all that this implies: American Idolatry and Taking America Back for God

In short, this country was founded for and remains the sole province of these men (straight, white, able-bodied, Protestant, natural born citizen) and their women and children.

What does this imply for those of us who are not Christian, and who labor under the assumption that we're protected by the First Amendment?

Shout out to the Fox News hack who tried to intimidate me by contacting my employer and writing a (terrible) hit piece when I posted “Abolishing ICE is the moderate position” after Renee Good’s killing.

Abolishing ICE is the moderate position.

this reminds me of my favorite Orwell quote that states, "We live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who's going to do that? You?...Deep down at places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall, you need me on that wall."

Thank you for this. Already sharing out to folks who heard the original reporting and are obviously troubled by it. Being reminded that while it may be plausible, we need to wait and find out just how widespread or real this is.

One worked for the county, mostly plowing and driving dump trucks. He survived polio contracted as an adult, had a limp for the rest of his life. County provided a good pension & he enjoyed retirement.

One was a farmer then salesman. Worked until his last days.

I did not share the original story because my gut was that the sourcing was dubious. Someone who knows more about the sole source confirms that skepticism. Don't fall for clickbait, read the piece linked below.

(If the story is confirmed by other outlets, that's another thing. But ... it's not)

Five Elements of Christian Nationalism Christian nationalism envisions a very particular nation: one that is ordered in such a way that only a certain group remains at the top and in charge while others have limited access to the levers of...

Read more about Christian nationalism and its cultural elements here: kettering.org/five-element...

@kettering.org

This is why you see leaders like Hegseth invoke God as the legitimating force behind these attacks. Christian nationalism necessarily invokes violence in order to defend the privileged access to power for the in-group, and to battle against the fear of losing that power.

These Americans are more likely to endorse violence in order to “save our country,” limit access to the democratic process, and support leaders using any means necessary to achieve law and order.

Americans who embrace Christian nationalism are more likely to demand obedience to authority. When asked, respondents agreed that “because things have gotten so far off track in this country, we need a leader who is willing to break some rules if that’s what it takes to set things right.”

Any nation that fails to abide by these ideals risks losing divine blessing. For this reason, strong rules and a strong ruler are necessary to bring order out of chaos. And because the stakes of a rightly ordered society are so high, nothing—not even democracy—can stand in the way.

One of the key cultural markers of Christian nationalism is a preference for authoritarian social control. Christian nationalism views the world as constantly falling into chaos where the God-ordained hierarchies, boundary-lines, and social systems mentioned above are under constant threat.

This vision serves to defend the privileges of one group while chipping away at the fundamental tenets of an inclusive democracy where Americans of all or no religious faith can participate.

Claims of “loving Jesus” and “instilling biblical principles” are focused on favoring a specific expression of Christianity to elevate, legitimate, and ultimately achieve a very particular vision for the United States.

Which biblical principles?
Why those biblical principles?

It also excludes some Americans of other religious traditions or those who are not religious at all.

The particular expression of Christianity referenced by Christian nationalism means a lot more than just “loving Jesus” and being patriotic. While the goal of infusing “biblical principles” into American civic life may seem innocuous to many Christians, it raises the questions:

And I hope it was clear 0% of my snark was directed at you, it was all a “yes and“ on your original post from me! Rereading it I could see where it might not be clear. lol.

I swear, all this work you did to point out the stupidity of the incoming replies and THEY STILL ROLL IN

Deportation flight to Iran included Christians at risk | Anabaptist World The Trump administration’s deportation of more than a hundred Iranians held in ICE custody on a flight that touched down in Tehran on Sept. 29 includes Christian converts and other religious minoritie...

The current administration, for which 80% of US evangelicals voted, sent Iranian Christian refugees *back* to Iran where they face *actual persecution* & threats to their lives because of their religious beliefs.

Curious what US evangelicals have to offer here.

anabaptistworld.org/deportation-...

“In the last year, it’s gotten a lot worse” A Qualitative Investigation of Barriers to Disability Benefits in 2025 - DREDF The Mobility Device User Survey (MDUS) reported here was stimulated by reports from mobility device users of the many problems, limitations, and long waits associated with the process of acquiring a m...

I'm thrilled to announce a new report I wrote with @ksavin.bsky.social and @calliefreitag.bsky.social on the impact of DOGE/Trump 2.0 turmoil on Social Security disability programs.

As the title says, these programs have always been tough to navigate. But in the last year, they've gotten worse.

Idaho considers an 'apocalyptic' choice for disabled people and families Difficult budget decisions in a number of states are threatening vital programs for disabled people at home and caregivers in the workforce.

Idaho's proposal to essentially end home care is the first sign that last year's tax cut bill could be disastrous for people with disabilities in the U.S.

Terrific, worrisome story from @slooterman.bsky.social

19thnews.org/2026/03/idah...