Posts by Matt Bernius

Matt Bernius
About Matt Bernius
Matt Bernius is a design researcher working to create more equitable government systems and experiences. Matt's most recent work has been in the civic tech space, working as a researcher and design strategist at Code for America and Measures for Justice. Prior to that he worked at Effective, a UX agency, and also taught at the Rochester Institute of Technology and Cornell. Matt has an MA from the University of Chicago.

The Lack Of Economy In Trump’s “Economy” Speech

I love a good data visualization!

[Graph of Monmouth Survey on Enthusiasm for 2024 Presidential Race] [Graph of Monmouth Survey on Enthusiasm for 2024 Presidential Race]

The Problem Of A High Floor & Low Ceiling

A graph that shows why Trump should be concerned

Donald Trump Shrugging Donald Trump Shrugging

Loose Lips Sink Ships (Or Campaigns)

Trumps undercuts current messaging & brings up past military service controversies

[167th St. Station. James Baldwin Mural. New York, NY by Kathy Drasky] [167th St. Station. James Baldwin Mural. New York, NY by Kathy Drasky]

Once You Start Running On Anger & Outrage It’s Hard To Stop

A reflection the Trump campaign with helpf from James Baldwin

Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks to the National Congress of American Indians Annual Conference, Tuesday, October 12, 2021 in the South Court Auditorium of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson) Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks to the National Congress of American Indians Annual Conference, Tuesday, October 12, 2021 in the South Court Auditorium of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

The Gift Of F.A.I.L.ure

What Trump and many supporters get wrong about Kamala Harris

Softball Questions And The Limits Of Running On Anger

Unpacking J. D. Vance’s bad PR instincts

Update On The Trump/Brown/Helicopter Story

Trump was in an emergency landing in 1990, just with another politician

Is Donald Trump Okay?

That’s not a rhetorical question.

[Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on stage before Senator Amy Klobuchar announces her 2020 presidential bid by Lorie Shaull from Washington, United States [Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on stage before Senator Amy Klobuchar announces her 2020 presidential bid by Lorie Shaull from Washington, United States

[Updated] Reviewing 5 Claims About Tim Walz Military Record

I don’t think its stolen valor, but Walz has played it loose when referring to his service

Trump Campaign’s Alleged Role In The Whisper Campaign Against Shapiro

Stoking anti-Semitism for political gain

[ Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro speaks with the press. MAY 27, 2022 - PHILADELPHIA, PA photographer: Governor Tom Wolf] [ Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro speaks with the press. MAY 27, 2022 - PHILADELPHIA, PA photographer: Governor Tom Wolf]

Reasons Emerge For Why Josh Shapiro Wasn’t Picked

His Presidential aspirations may have played a big factor

[Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on stage before Senator Amy Klobuchar announces her 2020 presidential bid by Lorie Shaull from Washington, United States [Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on stage before Senator Amy Klobuchar announces her 2020 presidential bid by Lorie Shaull from Washington, United States

[Updated x 3] Picking Walz Is NOT Antisemitism

The anti-DEI party is suddenly really concerned about identity

Help Us Identify Migration Bugs

Help us help you by helping us help you.

3D rendering artificial intelligence AI research of robot and cyborg development for future of people living. Digital data mining and machine learning technology design for computer brain. 3D rendering artificial intelligence AI research of robot and cyborg development for future of people living. Digital data mining and machine learning technology design for computer brain.

OTB Update – Going Temporarily Offline Later Today

Commenting will turn off at 1pm ET today

Donald Trump Shrugging Donald Trump Shrugging

Trump Lies About Hostage Release Record

Or more charitably, forgets due to cognitive decline

[Text Message App on Iphone] [Text Message App on Iphone]

The Blurry Line Between Legitimate PACs And Scams

Spoiler: the same people often work at both

Jimmy Carter Proves The Simpsons Right*

* if you are an African parasite

[JD Vance] [JD Vance]

What Exactly Did The Trump Campaign Vet J.D. Vance For?

It’s not been a great few days for J. D. Vance

[a cartoon of a diverse group of people] [a cartoon of a diverse group of people]

Additional Thoughts On “DEI” In Politics

Facts versus framing, with a little Mandela effect thrown in for good measure.

Kamala Harris in front of American Flag Kamala Harris in front of American Flag

Some Brief(ish) Thoughts On Kamala Harris’s Potential Running Mates

Taking a closer look at Cooper, Kelly, and Shapiro

[Documents taken in August Mar-A-Lago search] [Documents taken in August Mar-A-Lago search]

Judge Cannon Dismisses Trump’s Classified Document Case

Expect an appeal and a long wait

Airpods Airpods

An Unexpectedly Timely Podcast Recommendation

History rhymes in uncanny ways

Good Advice For A Somber Day

Sometimes all we have is the choice of how we react to events.

What The YSL Trial Chaos Says About Our Criminal Legal Systems

What out of control prosecutors and judges actually look like and why more people should be treated like former President Trump

The free high-resolution photo of desk, black and white, technology, white, money, market, blue, business, black, monochrome, chart, statistic, monitor, bw, bank, display, graph, stock, digital, currency, dollar, trade, information, sell, economy, server, financial, management, data, finance, cost, analysis, profit, investment, exchange, ticker, rate, accounting, funds, earning, trading, forex, personal computer, monochrome photography, index, electronic device, personal computer hardware, electronic instrument, foreign exchange , taken with an unknown camera 03/17 2017 The picture taken with The image is released free of copyrights under Creative Commons CC0. You may download, modify, distribute, and use them royalty free for anything you like, even in commercial applications. Attribution is not required. The free high-resolution photo of desk, black and white, technology, white, money, market, blue, business, black, monochrome, chart, statistic, monitor, bw, bank, display, graph, stock, digital, currency, dollar, trade, information, sell, economy, server, financial, management, data, finance, cost, analysis, profit, investment, exchange, ticker, rate, accounting, funds, earning, trading, forex, personal computer, monochrome photography, index, electronic device, personal computer hardware, electronic instrument, foreign exchange , taken with an unknown camera 03/17 2017 The picture taken with The image is released free of copyrights under Creative Commons CC0. You may download, modify, distribute, and use them royalty free for anything you like, even in commercial applications. Attribution is not required.

Why We Can Say Crime Is Down

A deep dive into why imperfect Criminal Legal System data is still reliable

Sometimes History Rhymes In Ironic Ways

And you might ask yourself: “how did we get here?”

In Honor of Confederate Heritage Month in Mississippi

If only we knew why Mississippi chose to join the Confederacy…

Republicans Are Again Threatening To Remove Their Speaker

It must be another day that ends in a “Y”

[Speaker of the House Mike Johnson] [Speaker of the House Mike Johnson]

MTG Files Motion To Vacate The Speakership

Its like déjà vu all over again.

Fulton County GA Prosecutor Fani Willis Fulton County GA Prosecutor Fani Willis

Decision In Fani Willis Conflict Of Interest Hearing

tl;dr: Either he goes or she (and her office) go

Some Luke Warm Takes On NY3

Yes, every special election is a very special snowflake, but trends do emerge

Obligatory “Big Game” Music Post

Spoiler alert, it’s about Prince’s attempt to Usher in a different approach to the press conference.

Nikki Haley, Racism In America, And Trump

On racism, Republicans, and names

Fulton County GA Prosecutor Fani Willis Fulton County GA Prosecutor Fani Willis

More On The Potential Disqualification Of Fani Willis

More on the potential conflict of interest in Georgia

Fulton County RICO Case Against Trump Facing Major Procedural Challenges

Fulton County Prosecutor’s alleged relationship with special prosecutor could derail the trial

Trump Attorney: If Not Impeached And Convicted, President Has Power To Assasinate Political Rivals

This is the logical result of Trump’s legal arguments & that should give everyone pause

Podcast Recommendation Ahead Of Tomorrow’s Hearing On Presidential Immunity In DC

The Lawfare podcast offers a great primer on the eve of oral arguments

[Sarasota The Daily Sun front page from 1/5/24 with two headlines: - Proposal would lower gun-buying age and -17 year old opens fire on an Iowa School [Sarasota The Daily Sun front page from 1/5/24 with two headlines: - Proposal would lower gun-buying age and -17 year old opens fire on an Iowa School

Headline juxtaposition of the day

Really not much to add on this one

Former Congressman and Trump White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows Former Congressman and Trump White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows

The Implications of 11th Circuit’s Mark Meadows Decision

The denial of transfer to Federal Court could signal problems for Trump’s Presidential Immunity Claims

Why Trump Will Almost Certainly Stay On The Colorado Primary Ballot

A few predictions that are going to disappoint just about everyone.

[Clarence Thomas] [Clarence Thomas]

What Role Have “Gifts” Played In Keeping Justice Thomas On The Supreme Court?

Might not be bribery, but it’s still exerting influence.

Saturday Forum

Former Trump Attorney Chesebro Pleads Guilty & Is Cooperating

Yesterday the Kraken. Today the Cheese. Whose flipping tomorrow?

Mitt Romey with pained look on face as he has dinner with President-Elect Trump. Mitt Romey with pained look on face as he has dinner with President-Elect Trump.

Mitt Romney Confirms What We’ve Suspected For Years!

The rare case where a clickbait headline is actually appropriate.

Trump’s First Federal Trial Set For 2024

For the moment, the “January 6th” trial begins on March 4th, 2024

Trump Lawyers: Win Some, Lose Some

They chose the ticket, now they are going for the ride.