What Next | Daily News and Analysis Time for a Blue-State “Soft Secession”?
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Oct 15, 2025 David Faris, an associate professor of political science at Roosevelt University and author of "It's Time to Fight Dirty," dives into the impacts of the federal shutdown on blue states. He discusses how crucial infrastructure projects in places that voted for Kamala Harris have been halted. Faris introduces the concept of 'soft secession' as a potential response, talks about the economic power of blue states, and explores strategies like targeted tolls and tax strikes as leverage against the federal government.
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Abusive Federalism As A New Framework
- David Faris calls the administration's approach 'abusive federalism' that punishes opposing states rather than governs cooperatively.
- This frames federal withholding of resources as intentional partisan punishment, not mere bureaucratic failure.
Red Line Extension Halted In Chicago
- Faris describes halted federal projects like Chicago's Red Line extension being frozen during the shutdown.
- He highlights immediate job losses and vanished funding as direct local impacts of the freeze.
Punishment Also Hurts Co-Party Citizens
- Faris highlights that punitive federal actions also harm co-party residents, exposing the crude logic of punishment.
- He calls such tactics an impoverished view of the country that treats many citizens as collateral.
