Brian Wasik
@brianrwasik.bsky.social
Virologist. Evolutionary biologist.
Reposted by Brian Wasik
In the last 48 hours, Musk's reactions to the Epstein release show exactly why he bought Twitter.
He's used the platform to call coverage of his emails with Epstein as "lies," elevated his fans who have defended him, and gotten positive reinforcement from his AI chatbot.
He's used the platform to call coverage of his emails with Epstein as "lies," elevated his fans who have defended him, and gotten positive reinforcement from his AI chatbot.
February 2, 2026 at 1:31 AM
In the last 48 hours, Musk's reactions to the Epstein release show exactly why he bought Twitter.
He's used the platform to call coverage of his emails with Epstein as "lies," elevated his fans who have defended him, and gotten positive reinforcement from his AI chatbot.
He's used the platform to call coverage of his emails with Epstein as "lies," elevated his fans who have defended him, and gotten positive reinforcement from his AI chatbot.
Reposted by Brian Wasik
They're literally running out of lawyers in a state where the district judges are practically at war with the administration.
BREAKING: 8 more U.S. Attorneys in MN resign from Trump’s DOJ in protest as backlash grows.
This isn’t normal; isn’t routine reshuffling. It’s a rebellion.
Last month, 6 veteran prosecutors quit in protest. Normal staffing for the MN DOJ’s office is around 50 attorneys. They’re down to just 9.
This isn’t normal; isn’t routine reshuffling. It’s a rebellion.
Last month, 6 veteran prosecutors quit in protest. Normal staffing for the MN DOJ’s office is around 50 attorneys. They’re down to just 9.
February 3, 2026 at 5:16 AM
They're literally running out of lawyers in a state where the district judges are practically at war with the administration.
Reposted by Brian Wasik
An incredible ongoing saga which highlights that Trump’s attacks on elite higher education has always been about the whims of the president, and the desire of his cronies and billionaire allies to bring universities “to heel,” rather than the rule of law. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/02/u...
Trump Is Said to Have Dropped Demand for Cash From Harvard
www.nytimes.com
February 3, 2026 at 11:17 AM
An incredible ongoing saga which highlights that Trump’s attacks on elite higher education has always been about the whims of the president, and the desire of his cronies and billionaire allies to bring universities “to heel,” rather than the rule of law. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/02/u...
Reposted by Brian Wasik
For too long the media has lost trust with the average American, we’ve prioritized the voices of elites at the expense of the working man. So please, once again, we must support this weird Epstein files freak I hired.
“.. Weiss insists she does not want to cut ties with Attia over his links to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and sees it as giving in to the mob.”
@calderone.bsky.social #$PSKY
www.thewrap.com/creative-con...
@calderone.bsky.social #$PSKY
www.thewrap.com/creative-con...
February 3, 2026 at 12:26 AM
For too long the media has lost trust with the average American, we’ve prioritized the voices of elites at the expense of the working man. So please, once again, we must support this weird Epstein files freak I hired.
Reposted by Brian Wasik
Judge Reyes starts with a comparison: George Washington versus Kristi Noem.
![[start quotation] MEMORANDUM OPINION
On December 2, 1783, then-Commander-in-Chief George Washington penned: “America is open to receive not only the Opulent & respected Stranger, but the oppressed & persecuted of
all Nations & Religions.”1
More than two centuries later, Congress reaffirmed President
Washington’s vision by establishing the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program. See 8
U.S.C. § 1254a (TPS statute). It provides humanitarian relief to foreign nationals in the United
States who come from disaster-stricken countries. It also brings in substantial revenue, with TPS
holders generating $5.2 billion in taxes annually. See Part VI.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem has a different take."[end quotation]
Underneath is a screenshot of a tweet, which reads: " Secretary Kristi Noem
@Sec_Noem
I just met with the President.
I am recommending a full travel ban on every damn country that's been flooding our nation with killers, leeches, and entitlement junkies.
Our forefathers built this nation on blood, sweat, and the unyielding love of freedom-not for foreign invaders to slaughter our heroes, suck dry our hard-earned tax dollars, or snatch the benefits owed to AMERICANS.
WE DON'T WANT THEM. NOT ONE.
6:52 PM
Dec 1, 2025
13.2M Views](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2vtbmhmrwzbqcfv4we4uxzzt/bafkreibseafaz2alyw7z2wcopu7uht4x26giiuqqov5cznw34rhdgqub7u@jpeg)
February 3, 2026 at 12:49 AM
Judge Reyes starts with a comparison: George Washington versus Kristi Noem.
Reposted by Brian Wasik
FWIW the majority of players liked it, and one gave this quote:
February 2, 2026 at 8:15 PM
FWIW the majority of players liked it, and one gave this quote:
Reposted by Brian Wasik
One of the most prominent firms repping Epstein survivors identified "thousands of redaction failures on behalf of nearly 100 individual survivors."
The lawyers rip DOJ's "institutional incompetence."
The lawyers rip DOJ's "institutional incompetence."
![Within the past 48 hours, the undersigned alone has reported thousands of redaction failures on behalf of nearly 100 individual survivors whose lives have been turned upside down by DOJ's latest release.
[...]
"There is no conceivable degree of institutional incompetence sufficient to explain the scale, consistency, and persistence of the failures that occurred - particularly where the sole task ordered by the Court and repeatedly emphasized by DOJ was simple: redact known victim names before publication.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:353gzbhcjbznfxegvayffqek/bafkreick6fu5fywyfueeiy3xnrzwpkvose637pmssro6h63gaoa24uypca@jpeg)
February 2, 2026 at 9:13 PM
One of the most prominent firms repping Epstein survivors identified "thousands of redaction failures on behalf of nearly 100 individual survivors."
The lawyers rip DOJ's "institutional incompetence."
The lawyers rip DOJ's "institutional incompetence."
Reposted by Brian Wasik
the scorpion promised me the ride of my life
ICE Employees Vent on Reddit, Saying They're Not Getting Paid and Still No Insurance Despite Promises
Staff claim promised bonuses and insurance have failed to materialise, with some reporting they cannot afford medical care for sick children
www.ibtimes.co.uk/ice-employee...
Staff claim promised bonuses and insurance have failed to materialise, with some reporting they cannot afford medical care for sick children
www.ibtimes.co.uk/ice-employee...
ICE employees on Reddit complain about late salaries and missing insurance, despite promises made upon hiring
ICE employees have reported delayed pay and missing health insurance on Reddit, while critics question how staff tolerate dangerous duties for little or no compensation.
www.ibtimes.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 9:29 PM
the scorpion promised me the ride of my life
Reposted by Brian Wasik
Brazilian influencer who defended US immigration crackdown arrested by ICE
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Brazilian influencer who defended US immigration crackdown arrested by ICE
Trump supporter Júnior Pena falsely claimed migrants being rounded up, including Brazilians, were ‘all crooks’
www.theguardian.com
February 2, 2026 at 7:38 PM
Brazilian influencer who defended US immigration crackdown arrested by ICE
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Reposted by Brian Wasik
its sorta funny explaining to someone that yeah, before about 1955 all movies were shot on Literally Gunpowder and when you hear about "lost" movies it's 99% of the time because an entire warehouse spontaneously combusted, something that has happened hundreds of times
February 2, 2026 at 7:48 PM
its sorta funny explaining to someone that yeah, before about 1955 all movies were shot on Literally Gunpowder and when you hear about "lost" movies it's 99% of the time because an entire warehouse spontaneously combusted, something that has happened hundreds of times
Reposted by Brian Wasik
A newborn in Minneapolis hadn’t eaten for a day and a half.
ICE agents took her mother when she went to work, trying to make money for diapers.
Her 16-year-old and Bri, a local mother of two, saved that baby's life. @chabeli.bsky.social tells their story
ICE agents took her mother when she went to work, trying to make money for diapers.
Her 16-year-old and Bri, a local mother of two, saved that baby's life. @chabeli.bsky.social tells their story
When one mother was taken by ICE, another stepped in to donate breastmilk
Moms in Minneapolis are donating diapers, food and time to help families who have been ripped apart by ICE.
19thnews.org
February 2, 2026 at 7:46 PM
A newborn in Minneapolis hadn’t eaten for a day and a half.
ICE agents took her mother when she went to work, trying to make money for diapers.
Her 16-year-old and Bri, a local mother of two, saved that baby's life. @chabeli.bsky.social tells their story
ICE agents took her mother when she went to work, trying to make money for diapers.
Her 16-year-old and Bri, a local mother of two, saved that baby's life. @chabeli.bsky.social tells their story
Reposted by Brian Wasik
BREAKING: Trump team to start “daily” meetings to focus on prosecuting his political adversaries, according to CNN
Looks like Susie Wiles’ efforts to “limit” Trump’s focus on retribution has failed spectacularly.
www.cnn.com/2026/02/02/p...
Looks like Susie Wiles’ efforts to “limit” Trump’s focus on retribution has failed spectacularly.
www.cnn.com/2026/02/02/p...
Justice Department expected to ramp up efforts to deliver on Trump’s ‘weaponization’ priorities | CNN Politics
Justice Department officials are expected to meet Monday to discuss how to reenergize probes that are considered a top priority for President Donald Trump — reviewing the actions of officials who inve...
www.cnn.com
February 2, 2026 at 4:19 PM
BREAKING: Trump team to start “daily” meetings to focus on prosecuting his political adversaries, according to CNN
Looks like Susie Wiles’ efforts to “limit” Trump’s focus on retribution has failed spectacularly.
www.cnn.com/2026/02/02/p...
Looks like Susie Wiles’ efforts to “limit” Trump’s focus on retribution has failed spectacularly.
www.cnn.com/2026/02/02/p...
Reposted by Brian Wasik
An easy way to judge an organization's health is to look at how they treat their old players. Rod Carew and Nolan Ryan will have nothing to do with the Angels. The White Sox have frozen out Frank Thomas. The Phillies, however, can get Steve Carlton to leave Colorado and come to Philadelphia.
The White Sox committed an unforced error in snubbing franchise legend Frank Thomas in a social media post for Black History Month.
And this time, the divorce might be unfixable.
📝 @pwsullivan.bsky.social
And this time, the divorce might be unfixable.
📝 @pwsullivan.bsky.social
Column: Chicago White Sox drop the ball in latest snub of Frank Thomas — and the divorce might be permanent
The Chicago White Sox committed an unforced error in snubbing franchise legend Frank Thomas in a social media post for Black History Month. This time the divorce might be unfixable.
trib.al
February 2, 2026 at 4:24 PM
An easy way to judge an organization's health is to look at how they treat their old players. Rod Carew and Nolan Ryan will have nothing to do with the Angels. The White Sox have frozen out Frank Thomas. The Phillies, however, can get Steve Carlton to leave Colorado and come to Philadelphia.
Reposted by Brian Wasik
In 1942, RKO slashed 43 minutes from Orson Welles's "The Magnificent Ambersons" and slapped on a happy ending. Now, an A.I. company wants to restore what was lost. Are they righting a historic wrong or descrating a classic? My deep dive, in this week's New Yorker. www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
Deepfaking Orson Welles’s Mangled Masterpiece
Will an A.I. restoration of “The Magnificent Ambersons” right a historic wrong or desecrate a classic?
www.newyorker.com
February 2, 2026 at 6:13 PM
In 1942, RKO slashed 43 minutes from Orson Welles's "The Magnificent Ambersons" and slapped on a happy ending. Now, an A.I. company wants to restore what was lost. Are they righting a historic wrong or descrating a classic? My deep dive, in this week's New Yorker. www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
Reposted by Brian Wasik
BREAKING: Judge Jia Cobb issues a TRO blocking DHS Sec Noem's Jan 8 memo purporting to require 7-day notices by members of Congress to perform oversight visits to immigration detention facilities.
The effect is that congressional oversight visits are allowed on request, as is required by Sec. 527.
The effect is that congressional oversight visits are allowed on request, as is required by Sec. 527.
February 2, 2026 at 4:50 PM
BREAKING: Judge Jia Cobb issues a TRO blocking DHS Sec Noem's Jan 8 memo purporting to require 7-day notices by members of Congress to perform oversight visits to immigration detention facilities.
The effect is that congressional oversight visits are allowed on request, as is required by Sec. 527.
The effect is that congressional oversight visits are allowed on request, as is required by Sec. 527.
Reposted by Brian Wasik
There I fixed it
February 2, 2026 at 4:06 PM
There I fixed it
Reposted by Brian Wasik
NSF GRFP applicants (and mentors): Was your application Returned Without Review and deemed ineligible despite fitting in the allowed topics?
1) Write NSF
2) Write your Congressperson
3) CC us at [email protected] so we can compile + follow up
Details and template at grant-witness.us/grfp-letter
1) Write NSF
2) Write your Congressperson
3) CC us at [email protected] so we can compile + follow up
Details and template at grant-witness.us/grfp-letter
February 2, 2026 at 5:58 PM
NSF GRFP applicants (and mentors): Was your application Returned Without Review and deemed ineligible despite fitting in the allowed topics?
1) Write NSF
2) Write your Congressperson
3) CC us at [email protected] so we can compile + follow up
Details and template at grant-witness.us/grfp-letter
1) Write NSF
2) Write your Congressperson
3) CC us at [email protected] so we can compile + follow up
Details and template at grant-witness.us/grfp-letter
Reposted by Brian Wasik
Holy shit. Not only was Tulsi Gabbard present for the raid on Georgia's election center, she called Trump and put him on speaker phone to the FBI agents conducting the raid! (Gift link)
Trump Had Unusual Call With F.B.I. Agents After Election Center Search
www.nytimes.com
February 2, 2026 at 5:58 PM
Holy shit. Not only was Tulsi Gabbard present for the raid on Georgia's election center, she called Trump and put him on speaker phone to the FBI agents conducting the raid! (Gift link)
Reposted by Brian Wasik
CDC Deputy Director Ralph Abraham thinks measles outbreaks are the “cost of doing business” in a world of global travel. Because travel didn't exist during the last 20 years, when we had effectively eliminated the disease. lnk.thebulwark.com/4tv9aXt
February 2, 2026 at 6:01 PM
CDC Deputy Director Ralph Abraham thinks measles outbreaks are the “cost of doing business” in a world of global travel. Because travel didn't exist during the last 20 years, when we had effectively eliminated the disease. lnk.thebulwark.com/4tv9aXt
Reposted by Brian Wasik
Meeting in solidarity with Haitians in Springfield, Ohio now - over 600 people and still growing.
February 2, 2026 at 2:17 PM
Meeting in solidarity with Haitians in Springfield, Ohio now - over 600 people and still growing.
Reposted by Brian Wasik
“Let us be clear: we want the power of the state. We wish to hold the criminals of the regime accountable. We wish to seize back the public funds looted by Trump and his cronies. We wish to undo the damage he has done to the government. More than any of that we wish to rebuild.”
From Powerlessness to Power
We will not achieve any of our ultimate goals without exercising state power, and the most effective way to take state power is through nonviolent but confrontational resistance.
www.liberalcurrents.com
February 2, 2026 at 11:04 AM
“Let us be clear: we want the power of the state. We wish to hold the criminals of the regime accountable. We wish to seize back the public funds looted by Trump and his cronies. We wish to undo the damage he has done to the government. More than any of that we wish to rebuild.”
Reposted by Brian Wasik
"From January to October 2025, at least 3,800 children under the age of 18, including 20 infants, were arrested and detained by U.S. immigration authorities. " www.nytimes.com/2026/02/01/o...
Opinion | Liam Ramos Was Just One of Hundreds of Children at This Detention Center. Release Them All.
www.nytimes.com
February 2, 2026 at 1:39 PM
"From January to October 2025, at least 3,800 children under the age of 18, including 20 infants, were arrested and detained by U.S. immigration authorities. " www.nytimes.com/2026/02/01/o...
Reposted by Brian Wasik
Gabbard, Hegseth, RFK are not only the worst appointees for their respective portfolios but they're also in close competition for the worst cabinet appointee ever
making tulsi gabbard DNI is itself a watergate level scandal
Exclusive: A U.S. official has alleged wrongdoing by U.S. spy chief Tulsi Gabbard in a complaint that is so highly classified it has sparked months of wrangling over how to share it with Congress, according to people familiar with the matter.
February 2, 2026 at 1:55 PM
Gabbard, Hegseth, RFK are not only the worst appointees for their respective portfolios but they're also in close competition for the worst cabinet appointee ever
Reposted by Brian Wasik
Exclusive: A U.S. official has alleged wrongdoing by U.S. spy chief Tulsi Gabbard in a complaint that is so highly classified it has sparked months of wrangling over how to share it with Congress, according to people familiar with the matter.
Classified Whistleblower Complaint About Tulsi Gabbard Stalls Within Her Agency
Congress hasn’t seen the complaint, which was filed eight months ago with the U.S. intelligence community watchdog’s office.
on.wsj.com
February 2, 2026 at 11:18 AM
Exclusive: A U.S. official has alleged wrongdoing by U.S. spy chief Tulsi Gabbard in a complaint that is so highly classified it has sparked months of wrangling over how to share it with Congress, according to people familiar with the matter.
Reposted by Brian Wasik
Jodi Kantor in the NY Times reports that the Chief Justice requested Court employees sign nondisclosure agreements in November 2024 - moving to formal contracts requiring silence/confidentiality after Trump was reelected: www.nytimes.com/2026/02/02/u...
February 2, 2026 at 11:48 AM
Jodi Kantor in the NY Times reports that the Chief Justice requested Court employees sign nondisclosure agreements in November 2024 - moving to formal contracts requiring silence/confidentiality after Trump was reelected: www.nytimes.com/2026/02/02/u...