David Faris

David Faris is a professor of political science at Roosevelt University and the author of It’s Time to Fight Dirty: How Democrats Can Build a Lasting Majority in American Politics. His writing has appeared in Slate, The Week, The Washington Post, The New Republic, and Washington Monthly. You can find him on Bluesky at @davidfaris.bluesky.social.

People clear rubble away from a Tehran apartment bombed in the US/Israel war on Iran.

Getting Iran Wrong, to the Nth Power Getting Iran Wrong, to the Nth Power

Trump’s unhinged war in Iran is but an escalation of our willful misapprehension of the country’s history and makeup.

Mar 19, 2026 / David Faris

Should Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Run for President in 2028?

Should Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Run for President in 2028? Should Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Run for President in 2028?

David Faris argues that the New York representative is the new national leader the Democrats need, but Daraka Larimore-Hall claims she can get more done in Congress.

Mar 12, 2026 / The Debate / David Faris and Daraka Larimore-Hall

House Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi at last month’s Illinois Senate Democratic primary debate.

How Illinois May Bumble Its Way Into Electing a Senate Moderate How Illinois May Bumble Its Way Into Electing a Senate Moderate

The battle for Dick Durbin’s seat in a potential blue-wave cycle should be a progressive cakewalk in a state like Illinois. Cue the infighting and undermining.

Mar 10, 2026 / David Faris

Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino, flanked by masked agents, at the perimeter of the site where Renee Good was shot to death.

Democrats Need to Shut Down the Government to Defund ICE Terror Democrats Need to Shut Down the Government to Defund ICE Terror

With another deadline looming at the end of the month, party leaders must use the power they have to begin dismantling Trump’s police state.

Jan 15, 2026 / David Faris

Despite Themselves, Democrats Look Well Positioned for the Midterms

Despite Themselves, Democrats Look Well Positioned for the Midterms Despite Themselves, Democrats Look Well Positioned for the Midterms

An otherwise inert opposition party may well clean up on Donald Trump's destructive and hubristic governing record.

Jan 12, 2026 / David Faris

An anti-ICE demonstration in Manhattan last month

The MAGA War on City Dwellers Is Backfiring The MAGA War on City Dwellers Is Backfiring

Last week's elections showed that the GOP can't afford to keep demonizing urban America.

Nov 14, 2025 / David Faris

How Blue States Can Fight the MAGA Backlash

How Blue States Can Fight the MAGA Backlash How Blue States Can Fight the MAGA Backlash

The unconstitutional targeting of constituencies Trump dislikes calls for coordinated acts of resistance.

Oct 16, 2025 / David Faris

President Donald Trump displays his executive order establishing the Trump Card for HB-1 visa applicants at the Oval Office on September 19.

The Alternate-Universe Version of Trump’s Executive Putsch The Alternate-Universe Version of Trump’s Executive Putsch

What would a Democratic presidency armed with Trump’s limitless power look like?

Sep 24, 2025 / David Faris

Protesters carry a coffin symbolizing the death of democracy near Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago home.

American Democracy, RIP American Democracy, RIP

The bulwarks of self-government have given way under multiple MAGA putsches. Instead of pledging to protect our democracy, Democrats need a plan to restore it

Aug 26, 2025 / David Faris

Jerry Jones as Ed Rooney, Ferris Buehler's bumbling nemesis.

Democrats’ Failed Bueller Strategy on Voting Rights Democrats’ Failed Bueller Strategy on Voting Rights

Party leaders are talking tough about retaliatory gerrymandering—but like Principal Rooney, they're unable to fight back effectively

Aug 21, 2025 / David Daley and David Faris

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