Deborah Blum
@deborahb.bsky.social
Book author, toxicology journalist, fascinated by poison and murder (current book project), and, oh yeah, I'm the former director of the Knight Science Journalism program at MIT.
Reposted by Deborah Blum
U.S. government has lost more than 10,000 STEM Ph.D.s since Trump took office | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...
U.S. government has lost more than 10,000 STEM Ph.D.s since Trump took office
A Science analysis reveals how many were fired, retired, or quit across 14 agencies
www.science.org
January 27, 2026 at 2:01 PM
U.S. government has lost more than 10,000 STEM Ph.D.s since Trump took office | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Deborah Blum
My gosh. Alex Pretti was notifying neighbors that Trump and Vance's agents were chasing a family. A mob of agents then tackled him and broke his rib.
He thought he was going to die.
Then the very next week, he came back out to support his neighbors.
And a mob of agents killed him.
He thought he was going to die.
Then the very next week, he came back out to support his neighbors.
And a mob of agents killed him.
January 27, 2026 at 6:48 PM
My gosh. Alex Pretti was notifying neighbors that Trump and Vance's agents were chasing a family. A mob of agents then tackled him and broke his rib.
He thought he was going to die.
Then the very next week, he came back out to support his neighbors.
And a mob of agents killed him.
He thought he was going to die.
Then the very next week, he came back out to support his neighbors.
And a mob of agents killed him.
Reposted by Deborah Blum
Abolish. ice. 💔
January 27, 2026 at 6:10 PM
Abolish. ice. 💔
Reposted by Deborah Blum
Ian Austin, an Army veteran, was arrested for protesting ICE in Minneapolis. But he’s continued protesting. Senior reporter @julialurie.bsky.social spoke to him.
“When they say, ‘Why would you be out here?’ How the fuck could I not be out here?” he says. “My nation is under attack."
“When they say, ‘Why would you be out here?’ How the fuck could I not be out here?” he says. “My nation is under attack."
January 27, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Ian Austin, an Army veteran, was arrested for protesting ICE in Minneapolis. But he’s continued protesting. Senior reporter @julialurie.bsky.social spoke to him.
“When they say, ‘Why would you be out here?’ How the fuck could I not be out here?” he says. “My nation is under attack."
“When they say, ‘Why would you be out here?’ How the fuck could I not be out here?” he says. “My nation is under attack."
Reposted by Deborah Blum
"DHS has suspended Gregory Bovino’s access to his social media accounts effective immediately," CNN reports
January 27, 2026 at 12:31 AM
"DHS has suspended Gregory Bovino’s access to his social media accounts effective immediately," CNN reports
Reposted by Deborah Blum
Wow, i had no idea how many anti-Semitic, Nazi, and white power references this administration is using.
“There are two types of people to whom these messages will quickly look familiar..white supremacists, and those who study white supremacists.”
“There are two types of people to whom these messages will quickly look familiar..white supremacists, and those who study white supremacists.”
My first thought was, well, obviously. But there's real insights in this story, including the back and forth between journalists and DHS. (gift article)
Administration Social Media Posts Echo White Supremacist Messaging
www.nytimes.com
January 27, 2026 at 3:50 PM
Wow, i had no idea how many anti-Semitic, Nazi, and white power references this administration is using.
“There are two types of people to whom these messages will quickly look familiar..white supremacists, and those who study white supremacists.”
“There are two types of people to whom these messages will quickly look familiar..white supremacists, and those who study white supremacists.”
Reposted by Deborah Blum
Dr. Jonathan (Jon) Foley @globalecoguy.bsky.social, climate scientist, public scholar, and executive director of @projectdrawdown.bsky.social, is the 2026 AAG Atlas Award honoree. Dr. Foley is recognized for his groundbreaking research and advisory support across sectors worldwide. 🌟 buff.ly/wvtPUi3
January 27, 2026 at 3:15 PM
Dr. Jonathan (Jon) Foley @globalecoguy.bsky.social, climate scientist, public scholar, and executive director of @projectdrawdown.bsky.social, is the 2026 AAG Atlas Award honoree. Dr. Foley is recognized for his groundbreaking research and advisory support across sectors worldwide. 🌟 buff.ly/wvtPUi3
Reposted by Deborah Blum
Nearly half of routinely-updated CDC databases have experienced delays or shutdowns in 2025, with vaccination-related systems disproportionately affected, according to a new study.
Dozens of CDC Health Databases Have Gone Dark Under Trump: ‘The Consequences Will Be Dire’
Nearly half of routinely-updated CDC databases have experienced delays or shutdowns in 2025, with vaccination-related systems disproportionately affected, according to a new study.
www.404media.co
January 27, 2026 at 3:09 PM
Nearly half of routinely-updated CDC databases have experienced delays or shutdowns in 2025, with vaccination-related systems disproportionately affected, according to a new study.
My first thought was, well, obviously. But there's real insights in this story, including the back and forth between journalists and DHS. (gift article)
Administration Social Media Posts Echo White Supremacist Messaging
www.nytimes.com
January 27, 2026 at 3:28 PM
My first thought was, well, obviously. But there's real insights in this story, including the back and forth between journalists and DHS. (gift article)
Reposted by Deborah Blum
My friend Sara posted this about the superb care her father received from with Alex Pretti
Absolutely heartbreaking
Absolutely heartbreaking
January 25, 2026 at 4:19 PM
My friend Sara posted this about the superb care her father received from with Alex Pretti
Absolutely heartbreaking
Absolutely heartbreaking
Reposted by Deborah Blum
I’ve never heard of a “law enforcement” agency putting an officer who just killed someone back on the street under 24 hours. And that’s because all shootings are treated as homicides pending investigation. This is as clear a sign as you’ll get that DHS personnel enjoy practical immunity from murder.
CBP chief Bovino has confirmed that the officers who executed Alex Pretti in the street yesterday are not only *not on administrative leave,* they have all been reassigned to other jurisdictions and are all on the street today.
This is totally unheard of for any officer-involved shooting
This is totally unheard of for any officer-involved shooting
January 25, 2026 at 8:56 PM
I’ve never heard of a “law enforcement” agency putting an officer who just killed someone back on the street under 24 hours. And that’s because all shootings are treated as homicides pending investigation. This is as clear a sign as you’ll get that DHS personnel enjoy practical immunity from murder.
Reposted by Deborah Blum
The first half of Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch opens his pregame press conference with a statement about the killing of Alex Pretti
January 25, 2026 at 8:59 PM
The first half of Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch opens his pregame press conference with a statement about the killing of Alex Pretti
Reposted by Deborah Blum
The march is now passing the Chicago city hall / Cook County hall building. The chant goes up,
"Minnesota don't you fear, we, the people, are right here"
"Minnesota don't you fear, we, the people, are right here"
January 25, 2026 at 8:46 PM
The march is now passing the Chicago city hall / Cook County hall building. The chant goes up,
"Minnesota don't you fear, we, the people, are right here"
"Minnesota don't you fear, we, the people, are right here"
Reposted by Deborah Blum
Chief Strategist for Rand Paul.
January 24, 2026 at 9:14 PM
Chief Strategist for Rand Paul.
Reposted by Deborah Blum
Also, may I say that I don’t agree with people saying ICE and CBP need “more training.” They’re doing exactly what this administration has trained them to—impose a reign of fear in blue cities. They don’t need more training. They need to be ripped up root and branch.
January 24, 2026 at 11:01 PM
Also, may I say that I don’t agree with people saying ICE and CBP need “more training.” They’re doing exactly what this administration has trained them to—impose a reign of fear in blue cities. They don’t need more training. They need to be ripped up root and branch.
I have lived a year’s worth of grief and rage in just the first month of 2026.
January 24, 2026 at 11:09 PM
I have lived a year’s worth of grief and rage in just the first month of 2026.
Every word of this.
I don’t want to hear anything from an elected official unless it’s a plan to defund the DHS and impeach Noem, Bovino, etc. No texts. No emails. No talk about the economy. Step up or step off.
January 24, 2026 at 11:07 PM
Every word of this.
Reposted by Deborah Blum
Wind chill is -11 in Minneapolis right now, btw. That’s how angry people are
An overhead view of protesters gathering at the scene of the shooting.
Live coverage: www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
📽️ Aaron Lavinsky/The Minnesota Star Tribune
Live coverage: www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
📽️ Aaron Lavinsky/The Minnesota Star Tribune
January 24, 2026 at 10:42 PM
Wind chill is -11 in Minneapolis right now, btw. That’s how angry people are
Reposted by Deborah Blum
Reporters should be asking congressional Republicans what *other* kinds of Americans they think deserve to be executed in the street by the president's goon squad.
"So you support the murder of a mom and a VA nurse, but what about an Eagle Scout or a kindergarten teacher? How about a priest?"
"So you support the murder of a mom and a VA nurse, but what about an Eagle Scout or a kindergarten teacher? How about a priest?"
January 24, 2026 at 10:07 PM
Reporters should be asking congressional Republicans what *other* kinds of Americans they think deserve to be executed in the street by the president's goon squad.
"So you support the murder of a mom and a VA nurse, but what about an Eagle Scout or a kindergarten teacher? How about a priest?"
"So you support the murder of a mom and a VA nurse, but what about an Eagle Scout or a kindergarten teacher? How about a priest?"
Reposted by Deborah Blum
“.. He cared about people deeply ..,” said Michael Pretti, Alex’s father. “He thought it was terrible, you know, kidnapping children, just grabbing people off the street. He cared about those people, and he knew it was wrong ..”
@washingtonpost.com
www.washingtonpost.com/national/202...
@washingtonpost.com
www.washingtonpost.com/national/202...
January 24, 2026 at 10:22 PM
“.. He cared about people deeply ..,” said Michael Pretti, Alex’s father. “He thought it was terrible, you know, kidnapping children, just grabbing people off the street. He cared about those people, and he knew it was wrong ..”
@washingtonpost.com
www.washingtonpost.com/national/202...
@washingtonpost.com
www.washingtonpost.com/national/202...
Reposted by Deborah Blum
An overhead view of protesters gathering at the scene of the shooting.
Live coverage: www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
📽️ Aaron Lavinsky/The Minnesota Star Tribune
Live coverage: www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
📽️ Aaron Lavinsky/The Minnesota Star Tribune
January 24, 2026 at 9:46 PM
An overhead view of protesters gathering at the scene of the shooting.
Live coverage: www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
📽️ Aaron Lavinsky/The Minnesota Star Tribune
Live coverage: www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
📽️ Aaron Lavinsky/The Minnesota Star Tribune
Reposted by Deborah Blum
A new video appears to show the moments leading up to a fatal shooting by federal agents in Minneapolis, with the individual appearing to simply record on his phone as agents escalated the situation.
🎥 dangjessie / Threads
🎥 dangjessie / Threads
January 24, 2026 at 5:40 PM
A new video appears to show the moments leading up to a fatal shooting by federal agents in Minneapolis, with the individual appearing to simply record on his phone as agents escalated the situation.
🎥 dangjessie / Threads
🎥 dangjessie / Threads
Reposted by Deborah Blum
The newest video shows very clearly that they attacked him for coming to an aid of a woman that the agents pushed, and then executed him while he was immobilized. Everything the government has said, like with Good, has been a complete lie.
January 24, 2026 at 7:09 PM
The newest video shows very clearly that they attacked him for coming to an aid of a woman that the agents pushed, and then executed him while he was immobilized. Everything the government has said, like with Good, has been a complete lie.
Reposted by Deborah Blum
Alex Pretti’s last words were “are you ok?” said the woman next to him who ICE also pepper sprayed in the face.
January 24, 2026 at 7:51 PM
Alex Pretti’s last words were “are you ok?” said the woman next to him who ICE also pepper sprayed in the face.