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.

Payback master: FBI Director Kash Patel in testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee this week.

Government by Payback Squad Government by Payback Squad

The Trump White House has weaponized all the arms of federal law enforcement to intimidate its political enemies and critics, undermining the rule of law and democracy.

May 14, 2026 / David Faris

President Donald Trump at an April press conference about the war in Iran.

Why Ending the Iran War May Be a Never-Ending Story Why Ending the Iran War May Be a Never-Ending Story

As Trump’s “excursion” veers into quagmire territory, he may just try to walk away amid a host of new distractions.

Apr 29, 2026 / David Faris

A yard sign urges passage of Virginia's redistricting referendum.

Now That Democrats Have Won Virginia’s Redistricting Vote, the Real Fight Begins Now That Democrats Have Won Virginia’s Redistricting Vote, the Real Fight Begins

The party needs to pursue major reforms to defeat the structural demographic inequities threatening democracy.

Apr 27, 2026 / David Daley and David Faris

A billboard in Tehran asserts that despite the threats of President Donald Trump, Iran will retain control over the Strait of Hormuz.

The Blockheaded Thinking Behind Trump’s Plan for a Hormuz Blockade The Blockheaded Thinking Behind Trump’s Plan for a Hormuz Blockade

The president’s latest proposal to force Iran to negotiate an end to his feckless war somehow makes less sense than all the other ones.

Apr 16, 2026 / David Faris

An anti-war billboard in Yemen, seen in the distance behind a Houthi machine gun, depicts President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.

How the Saudis Keep Sidestepping a Costly Role in the Iran War How the Saudis Keep Sidestepping a Costly Role in the Iran War

The brutal Gulf monarchy has been cheerleading Trump’s insane war off-stage but won’t commit to any direct role in the conflict

Apr 7, 2026 / David Faris

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

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