Political Probe

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As President Trump faces an impeachment inquiry for asking the Ukrainian president to investigate political rival Joe Biden, the White House is denying access to key witnesses and documents. Will the move to stonewall Congress lead to an obstruction charge? How will the proceedings affect the 2020 election? And what will the long term effects be for both Republicans and Democrats?

Hofstra experts who can address different aspects of this complicated issue include:

--James Sample, an expert on constitutional law, who was featured in a Business Insider story examining the legal issues at play in President Trump’s dealings with Ukraine.

--Meena Bose, political science professor and presidential studies scholar, who spoke with the Washington Post about President Trump's attempts to sway the public narrative about the Democrats' impeachment inquiry against him.

--Mark Lukasiewicz, veteran television executive and dean of the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication, who was most recently quoted in The New York Times and Variety about the challenges that news organizations now face in live coverage of the Trump administration.

--Grant Saff, professor and chair of the Department of Global Studies and Geography, who was a guest on WSHU Public Radio’s talk show, “The Full Story.” He was part of a conversation that covered a number of important issues including the Ukrainian crisis.

Connect with:

James Sample

Professor of Law

Professor Sample regularly comments on voting rights and constitutional issues in leading media outlets.

The Supreme Court Voting RightsVoting Rights PolicyConstitutional LawJudicial Elections

Meena Bose

Professor of Political Science, Executive Dean for Public Policy & Public Service Programs

Dr. Meena Bose is Executive Dean of Hofstra University’s Peter S. Kalikow School of Government, Public Policy and International Affairs

Presidential ElectionsPresidential CampaignsPresidential PoliticsPresidential History

Mark Lukasiewicz

Dean, The Lawrence Herbert School of Communication

Dean Lukasiewicz is a veteran producer, journalist, and media executive. Before joining Hofstra, he was SVP of specials at NBC News.

news platformsnews industryBroadcast NewsDigital MediaMedia Ethics

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Aug 28, 2026

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ICE Arrests Decline on Long Island

Lawrence Levy, associate vice president and executive dean of Hofstra University’s National Center for Suburban Studies, was interviewed by Newsday about the decline in ICE arrests on Long Island. This stands in contrast to the rest of the country where nearly 50,000 people were arrested in July, the highest number since President Donald Trump’s second term. Levy said the trend, if the data is accurate, suggests that organized opposition to aggressive immigration enforcement by Latino and non-Latino residents and organizations may be having an impact.

Aug 17, 2026

1 min

Can President’s Visit Sway LI Voters in Governor’s Race?

Lawrence Levy, associate vice president and executive dean of Hofstra University’s National Center for Suburban Studies, was interviewed by Newsday about President Donald Trump’s planned visit to Long Island on August 14 to show support for local law enforcement and boost Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s gubernatorial campaign. “Nothing has been more damaging to Blakeman’s campaign, especially to his ability to attract moderate suburbanites, ubiquitous on Long Island, than President Trump’s plunging approval ratings,” Levy said. “So unless the president comes with bags of money for Blakeman’s underfunded campaign, it’s hard to imagine how the visit will be a net positive. If Blakeman doesn’t have his MAGA base already secure, he’s in more trouble than even the polls suggest.”

Aug 13, 2026

1 min

Why Flash Flooding Is of Increased Local Concern

Jase Bernhardt, associate professor of geology, environment, and sustainability, was interviewed by Newsday about the increased risk of flash flooding on Long Island. The article explains that flash flooding is caused by heavy rainfall in a short period. It’s often caused by thunderstorms in the summer, when there’s more moisture in the air than in cooler months. It can happen anywhere across the region, as opposed to storm surge flooding, which mostly impacts low-lying coastal areas. Any change in the frequency of flash flooding on Long Island is also a function of the way water moves on the ground and ultimately of urbanization, Dr. Bernhardt said. “Poor drainage, sewer systems” and impervious surfaces like “parkways, parking lots” and other types of development all play a role.