Alanna Vagianos
@alannavagianos.bsky.social
Senior reporter @HuffPost covering gender + politics, focused on repro justice & gender-based violence.
Say hi 👋🏼: [email protected] / [email protected] / avagianos.25 on Signal
https://www.huffpost.com/author/alanna-vagianos
Say hi 👋🏼: [email protected] / [email protected] / avagianos.25 on Signal
https://www.huffpost.com/author/alanna-vagianos
Pinned
The People Being Arrested By ICE That No One’s Talking About
The Trump administration’s deportation machine is detaining immigrant women at record numbers — and they've become invisible targets.
www.huffpost.com
The Trump administration’s deportation machine has made women invisible targets.
If you’ve ever wondered, like me, what happens to all the women ICE detains:
If you’ve ever wondered, like me, what happens to all the women ICE detains:
Reposted by Alanna Vagianos
🚨Update: Vahid Abedini has been released. He wrote on LinkedIn early Tuesday, “It was a deeply distressing experience, especially seeing those without the support I had.”
🚨And: A DHS spokesperson now tells me: “This Iranian national was detained for standard questioning. He's been released.”
🚨And: A DHS spokesperson now tells me: “This Iranian national was detained for standard questioning. He's been released.”
New: Professor Detained En Route To Middle East Studies Conference
Vahid Abedini was on his way to a Middle East Studies Association meeting when he was detained. He’s now in ICE custody.
www.huffpost.com/entry/vahid-...
Vahid Abedini was on his way to a Middle East Studies Association meeting when he was detained. He’s now in ICE custody.
www.huffpost.com/entry/vahid-...
Iranian Studies Professor Taken In ICE Custody While Traveling To Academic Conference
Vahid Abedini was on his way to a Middle Eastern Studies Association meeting when he was detained. He’s now in ICE custody, one law enforcement official said.
www.huffpost.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:36 PM
🚨Update: Vahid Abedini has been released. He wrote on LinkedIn early Tuesday, “It was a deeply distressing experience, especially seeing those without the support I had.”
🚨And: A DHS spokesperson now tells me: “This Iranian national was detained for standard questioning. He's been released.”
🚨And: A DHS spokesperson now tells me: “This Iranian national was detained for standard questioning. He's been released.”
“It is just as terrible to create a bill that would take away the reproductive autonomy of a man as it is to have no abortion allowed for a person who can become pregnant." -- @robinmarty.com
Pre-filed Alabama bill would require vasectomy as punishment for sex crimes | Alabama Reflector
An Alabama lawmaker pre-filed a bill for 2026 that would require defendants of rape and incest to get a vasectomy or be castrated if the crime resulted in pregnancy.
alabamareflector.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:35 PM
“It is just as terrible to create a bill that would take away the reproductive autonomy of a man as it is to have no abortion allowed for a person who can become pregnant." -- @robinmarty.com
Reposted by Alanna Vagianos
10 years after first organizing, it's time to bargain for our fourth contract. We're prepared, we're united and we're locked in.
November 24, 2025 at 8:21 PM
10 years after first organizing, it's time to bargain for our fourth contract. We're prepared, we're united and we're locked in.
Reposted by Alanna Vagianos
As HHS inspector general, Bell would be tasked with overseeing investigations into the Medicare and Medicaid programs — the latter being the largest funder of reproductive health services in the country, the Center for Reproductive Rights notes.
www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-...
www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-...
Trump Tries To Put Controversial Republican In A Nonpartisan Position After Firing Predecessor
Thomas March Bell is likely to be confirmed as inspector general of the Health and Human Services Department despite his long record of going after abortion clinics.
www.huffpost.com
November 19, 2025 at 3:49 PM
As HHS inspector general, Bell would be tasked with overseeing investigations into the Medicare and Medicaid programs — the latter being the largest funder of reproductive health services in the country, the Center for Reproductive Rights notes.
www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-...
www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-...
Reposted by Alanna Vagianos
Trump calls Epstein the "Democrat's problem" but the sex-trafficking scandal has never been a partisan issue. It's always been about how powerful men — regardless of their politics — have treated young, vulnerable women as interchangeable commodities for their own sexual gratification and abuse.
The Epstein Emails Expose Grim Truths About Men In Power — Even Democrats
‘Women get exploited, dismissed and forgotten. Men get do-overs.’
www.huffpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Trump calls Epstein the "Democrat's problem" but the sex-trafficking scandal has never been a partisan issue. It's always been about how powerful men — regardless of their politics — have treated young, vulnerable women as interchangeable commodities for their own sexual gratification and abuse.
Reposted by Alanna Vagianos
'HANG THEM': Trump Boosts Message Calling For Executing Democrats In Congress www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-...
'HANG THEM': Trump Boosts Message Calling For Executing Democrats In Congress
In a series of unhinged social media posts, he also called it “punishable by DEATH” that lawmakers released a video urging military service members to disobey unlawful orders.
www.huffpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:28 PM
'HANG THEM': Trump Boosts Message Calling For Executing Democrats In Congress www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-...
Reposted by Alanna Vagianos
🚨A newly uncovered document flagged last week in a federal court filing threatens undocumented immigrant children in government custody with “prolonged” detention if they choose to exercise their legal rights rather than voluntarily depart the United States.
www.huffpost.com/entry/docume...
www.huffpost.com/entry/docume...
Newly Uncovered Document Reveals An 'Alarming And Disturbing' Trump Threat
The Trump administration is turning the screws on kids who’ve arrived in the United States without adults accompanying them.
www.huffpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:02 PM
🚨A newly uncovered document flagged last week in a federal court filing threatens undocumented immigrant children in government custody with “prolonged” detention if they choose to exercise their legal rights rather than voluntarily depart the United States.
www.huffpost.com/entry/docume...
www.huffpost.com/entry/docume...
Reposted by Alanna Vagianos
Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans are hellbent on ripping away abortion access.
Nominating Thomas Bell is just the latest step in their dangerous anti-abortion agenda.
Nominating Thomas Bell is just the latest step in their dangerous anti-abortion agenda.
Leading @huffpost.com this morning:
Thomas March Bell is likely to be confirmed as inspector general of the Health and Human Services Department despite his long record of going after abortion clinics. www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-...
Thomas March Bell is likely to be confirmed as inspector general of the Health and Human Services Department despite his long record of going after abortion clinics. www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-...
November 19, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans are hellbent on ripping away abortion access.
Nominating Thomas Bell is just the latest step in their dangerous anti-abortion agenda.
Nominating Thomas Bell is just the latest step in their dangerous anti-abortion agenda.
Leading @huffpost.com this morning:
Thomas March Bell is likely to be confirmed as inspector general of the Health and Human Services Department despite his long record of going after abortion clinics. www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-...
Thomas March Bell is likely to be confirmed as inspector general of the Health and Human Services Department despite his long record of going after abortion clinics. www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-...
November 19, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Leading @huffpost.com this morning:
Thomas March Bell is likely to be confirmed as inspector general of the Health and Human Services Department despite his long record of going after abortion clinics. www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-...
Thomas March Bell is likely to be confirmed as inspector general of the Health and Human Services Department despite his long record of going after abortion clinics. www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-...
Reposted by Alanna Vagianos
“Death remains my intimate shadow partner. It has been with me since birth, always hovering close by. I understand one day we will finally waltz together into the ether. I hope when that time comes, I die with the satisfaction of a life well-lived, unapologetic, joyful, and full of love."
Alice Wong, disability justice advocate and author, dies at 51
Wong envisioned a world where disabled people, particularly those from multiple marginalized backgrounds, could live freely and with full autonomy.
19thnews.org
November 17, 2025 at 6:06 PM
“Death remains my intimate shadow partner. It has been with me since birth, always hovering close by. I understand one day we will finally waltz together into the ether. I hope when that time comes, I die with the satisfaction of a life well-lived, unapologetic, joyful, and full of love."
Reposted by Alanna Vagianos
New: that senator payola provision was added to the govt funding bill by agreement of John Thune and Chuck Schumer.
Now a Schumer spox says he supports repealing it
www.huffpost.com/entry/senate...
Now a Schumer spox says he supports repealing it
www.huffpost.com/entry/senate...
These Republican Senators Could Make Millions Thanks To The Government Funding Bill
The new law lets senators sue for major damages if the Justice Department obtains their phone records without telling them.
www.huffpost.com
November 14, 2025 at 12:27 AM
New: that senator payola provision was added to the govt funding bill by agreement of John Thune and Chuck Schumer.
Now a Schumer spox says he supports repealing it
www.huffpost.com/entry/senate...
Now a Schumer spox says he supports repealing it
www.huffpost.com/entry/senate...
Reposted by Alanna Vagianos
BREAKING: Tremane Wood, who was moments away from being executed for a killing his brother admitted to committing, received a last minute clemency grant from Gov. Kevin Stitt www.huffpost.com/entry/treman...
Tremane Wood Spared From Execution In Shocking Decision
His case marks only the second time Gov. Kevin Stitt has commuted a death sentence since entering office in 2019.
www.huffpost.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:35 PM
BREAKING: Tremane Wood, who was moments away from being executed for a killing his brother admitted to committing, received a last minute clemency grant from Gov. Kevin Stitt www.huffpost.com/entry/treman...
Tremane Wood was set to be executed this morning for a killing his brother admitted to. At the last minute, he was granted clemency.
Huge kudos to @jessicaschulberg.bsky.social who has been relentlessly reporting on his story for years.
Huge kudos to @jessicaschulberg.bsky.social who has been relentlessly reporting on his story for years.
Tremane Wood Spared From Execution In Shocking Decision
His case marks only the second time Gov. Kevin Stitt has commuted a death sentence since entering office in 2019.
www.huffpost.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Tremane Wood was set to be executed this morning for a killing his brother admitted to. At the last minute, he was granted clemency.
Huge kudos to @jessicaschulberg.bsky.social who has been relentlessly reporting on his story for years.
Huge kudos to @jessicaschulberg.bsky.social who has been relentlessly reporting on his story for years.
Reposted by Alanna Vagianos
Detransition is being used as political fodder by the Trump admin and its allies to support extreme anti-trans policies.
In the process, the reality of detransition is lost. For our new series, I spoke with detransitioners who feel harmed by the Trump admin. Their stories are complex and important.
In the process, the reality of detransition is lost. For our new series, I spoke with detransitioners who feel harmed by the Trump admin. Their stories are complex and important.
Detransition is key to politicians’ anti-trans agenda. But what is it really like?
The 19th spoke with two detransitioners who feel harmed and used by the Trump administration, which has positioned itself as a protector of those who detransition.
19thnews.org
November 12, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Detransition is being used as political fodder by the Trump admin and its allies to support extreme anti-trans policies.
In the process, the reality of detransition is lost. For our new series, I spoke with detransitioners who feel harmed by the Trump admin. Their stories are complex and important.
In the process, the reality of detransition is lost. For our new series, I spoke with detransitioners who feel harmed by the Trump admin. Their stories are complex and important.
Reposted by Alanna Vagianos
Blinken asked if Israel was conducting ethnic cleansing
Biden + advisors discussed if American officials were liable for war crimes
New details on the late 2024 deliberations that could have helped Gaza—and how Biden dodged accountability, kicking the can to Trump:
www.huffpost.com/entry/biden-...
Biden + advisors discussed if American officials were liable for war crimes
New details on the late 2024 deliberations that could have helped Gaza—and how Biden dodged accountability, kicking the can to Trump:
www.huffpost.com/entry/biden-...
Biden Discussed Potential Israeli War Crimes In Gaza. He Kicked The Can To Trump.
New intelligence shocked officials in late 2024, spurring heightened fear of U.S. liability, HuffPost has learned. The period saw Secretary of State Antony Blinken ask if Israel’s actions constituted ...
www.huffpost.com
November 12, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Blinken asked if Israel was conducting ethnic cleansing
Biden + advisors discussed if American officials were liable for war crimes
New details on the late 2024 deliberations that could have helped Gaza—and how Biden dodged accountability, kicking the can to Trump:
www.huffpost.com/entry/biden-...
Biden + advisors discussed if American officials were liable for war crimes
New details on the late 2024 deliberations that could have helped Gaza—and how Biden dodged accountability, kicking the can to Trump:
www.huffpost.com/entry/biden-...
Reposted by Alanna Vagianos
NEW: In my report for @huffpost.com, I take a deep dive into the battle being waged for common sense and rule of law in our courts and what the hell the point any of it is.
I hope you will read:
www.huffpost.com/entry/a-defy...
I hope you will read:
www.huffpost.com/entry/a-defy...
Lower Courts Are Playing The Long Game Against Trump
There is a pointed purpose to the increasingly spicy rulings and dissents coming from across the judiciary.
www.huffpost.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:47 PM
NEW: In my report for @huffpost.com, I take a deep dive into the battle being waged for common sense and rule of law in our courts and what the hell the point any of it is.
I hope you will read:
www.huffpost.com/entry/a-defy...
I hope you will read:
www.huffpost.com/entry/a-defy...
Reposted by Alanna Vagianos
Shutdown takeaways w/ @paulblumenthal.bsky.social:
• Mods folding hurts the case for "combative centrism"
• This wasn't about protecting the filibuster
• Dems controlled the news cycle
• This only matters for Nov if Trump approval stays down
• This thing was probably doomed from the start
• Mods folding hurts the case for "combative centrism"
• This wasn't about protecting the filibuster
• Dems controlled the news cycle
• This only matters for Nov if Trump approval stays down
• This thing was probably doomed from the start
Moderates Have Something To Prove After Shutdown Fold
And four other takeaways from the apparent end of the longest government shutdown in American history.
www.huffpost.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Shutdown takeaways w/ @paulblumenthal.bsky.social:
• Mods folding hurts the case for "combative centrism"
• This wasn't about protecting the filibuster
• Dems controlled the news cycle
• This only matters for Nov if Trump approval stays down
• This thing was probably doomed from the start
• Mods folding hurts the case for "combative centrism"
• This wasn't about protecting the filibuster
• Dems controlled the news cycle
• This only matters for Nov if Trump approval stays down
• This thing was probably doomed from the start
Reposted by Alanna Vagianos
NEW: I interviewed @katmabu.bsky.social for HuffPost.
We talked about free speech, ICE, political prosecution, the Trump administration’s attack on immigrants, fascists, Democrats, and yes, a bit about the indictment, too.
I hope you will read:
www.huffpost.com/entry/kat-ab...
We talked about free speech, ICE, political prosecution, the Trump administration’s attack on immigrants, fascists, Democrats, and yes, a bit about the indictment, too.
I hope you will read:
www.huffpost.com/entry/kat-ab...
A Politician Was Manhandled By ICE Then Indicted — And She Says It ‘Backfired’ On Trump
“Trump wants people to be scared of immigrants and people who stand with immigrants to be scared,” said Kat Abughazaleh, a Democratic congressional candidate in Illinois’ 9th District.
www.huffpost.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:40 PM
NEW: I interviewed @katmabu.bsky.social for HuffPost.
We talked about free speech, ICE, political prosecution, the Trump administration’s attack on immigrants, fascists, Democrats, and yes, a bit about the indictment, too.
I hope you will read:
www.huffpost.com/entry/kat-ab...
We talked about free speech, ICE, political prosecution, the Trump administration’s attack on immigrants, fascists, Democrats, and yes, a bit about the indictment, too.
I hope you will read:
www.huffpost.com/entry/kat-ab...
Reposted by Alanna Vagianos
Tremane Wood is facing execution on November 13. I revisited his case to investigate how a group of judges and prosecutors have secretly coordinated in ways that have undermined Tremane’s final chance to live. www.huffpost.com/entry/oklaho...
November 3, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Tremane Wood is facing execution on November 13. I revisited his case to investigate how a group of judges and prosecutors have secretly coordinated in ways that have undermined Tremane’s final chance to live. www.huffpost.com/entry/oklaho...
Reposted by Alanna Vagianos
Trump's legal arguments in the Posse Comitatus Act case out of L.A. could disable laws banning the military from interfering in elections if a court affirmed them. www.huffpost.com/entry/donald...
The 2026 Election Hinges On 1 Case That Could Get In Trump’s Way
Trump’s legal arguments in a case challenging his deployment of troops to U.S. cities could disable laws banning the military from interfering in elections.
www.huffpost.com
September 22, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Trump's legal arguments in the Posse Comitatus Act case out of L.A. could disable laws banning the military from interfering in elections if a court affirmed them. www.huffpost.com/entry/donald...
Dueling approaches to infertility vie for Congress' attention.
"[Restorative reproductive medicine] is being sold to women as a newer, cheaper way to treat infertility, and that is not the case."
"[Restorative reproductive medicine] is being sold to women as a newer, cheaper way to treat infertility, and that is not the case."
Dueling approaches to infertility vie for Congress' attention
Back-to-back congressional briefings pitted IVF against a less studied method for helping families conceive.
www.nbcnews.com
September 22, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Dueling approaches to infertility vie for Congress' attention.
"[Restorative reproductive medicine] is being sold to women as a newer, cheaper way to treat infertility, and that is not the case."
"[Restorative reproductive medicine] is being sold to women as a newer, cheaper way to treat infertility, and that is not the case."
“At this time, we do not know how many pregnant women are in ICE custody, whether U.S. citizen babies have been born in ICE custody, and what provisions have been made for mothers’ and children’s health, safety, and wellbeing."
It appears ICE is not following its own directives when it comes to the treatment of pregnant and postpartum women in detention centers, according to a letter shared exclusively with HuffPost.
Democrats Urge Trump Administration To Stop ICE Arrests Of Pregnant Women
It appears ICE is not following its own directives when it comes to the treatment of pregnant and postpartum women in detention centers, according to a letter shared exclusively with HuffPost.
www.huffpost.com
September 19, 2025 at 2:37 PM
“At this time, we do not know how many pregnant women are in ICE custody, whether U.S. citizen babies have been born in ICE custody, and what provisions have been made for mothers’ and children’s health, safety, and wellbeing."
Reposted by Alanna Vagianos
Fear is the mind killer
www.huffpost.com/entry/jimmy-...
www.huffpost.com/entry/jimmy-...
If You're Wondering Where We Are In Trump's Authoritarian Playbook... Here's What Happens Next
Trump wants the ability to control what is said and who can say it. And he’s been getting it.
www.huffpost.com
September 18, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Fear is the mind killer
www.huffpost.com/entry/jimmy-...
www.huffpost.com/entry/jimmy-...
Reposted by Alanna Vagianos
It appears ICE is not following its own directives when it comes to the treatment of pregnant and postpartum women in detention centers
www.huffpost.com/entry/democr...
www.huffpost.com/entry/democr...
Democrats Urge Trump Administration To Stop ICE Arrests Of Pregnant Women
It appears ICE is not following its own directives when it comes to the treatment of pregnant and postpartum women in detention centers, according to a letter shared exclusively with HuffPost.
www.huffpost.com
September 18, 2025 at 1:51 PM
It appears ICE is not following its own directives when it comes to the treatment of pregnant and postpartum women in detention centers
www.huffpost.com/entry/democr...
www.huffpost.com/entry/democr...
Reposted by Alanna Vagianos
As federal authorities sweep homeless encampments in D.C. , I want to resurface the reporting we @propublica.org did last year on the possessions people lose, which include the things they need to survive: projects.propublica.org/homeless-enc...
Swept Away: What Cities Really Take When They Sweep Homeless Encampments
People say having their possessions — from birth certificates to loved ones’ ashes — taken in “sweeps” traumatizes them, exacerbates health issues and undermines efforts to find housing and get or kee...
projects.propublica.org
August 15, 2025 at 6:26 PM
As federal authorities sweep homeless encampments in D.C. , I want to resurface the reporting we @propublica.org did last year on the possessions people lose, which include the things they need to survive: projects.propublica.org/homeless-enc...