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James West @jamespwest.bsky.social · 1d

The tech has been used to target politicians, journalists, tech execs, dissidents... and Jared Leto.

The story only gets wilder from there.

Read the full investigation here: www.motherjones.com/politics/202...

The surveillance empire that tracked world leaders, a Vatican enemy, and maybe you

We uncovered a massive data trove. It revealed the hidden world of First Wap, whose untraceable tech has targeted politicians, journalists, celebrities, and activists around the globe.

www.motherjones.com

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James West @jamespwest.bsky.social · 1d

We just dropped a major new investigation with partners @lighthousereports.com and a dozen other international partners, uncovering a vast surveillance empire whose untraceable tech has been used to target people in more than 100 countries, including the US.

WATCH: www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfWy...

This Secret Tech Tracked World Leaders, a Vatican Enemy, and Maybe You

YouTube video by Mother Jones

www.youtube.com

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James West @jamespwest.bsky.social · Aug 17

If you're in Edinburgh right now, I'll be interviewing @nytimes.com's @ewong.bsky.social alongside @channel4news.bsky.social's Lindsey Hilsum TODAY about their incredible new books, journalism in 2025, and "USA, WTF?!" at the majestic McEwan Hall, 1:30p. Come! www.edbookfest.co.uk/the-festival...

The Front List: Anne Applebaum & Edward Wong

From Sun 17 Aug - It’s hard to overstate the extent to which the Trump administration has disrupted the past 70 years’ world order. Journalists Anne Applebaum and Edward Wong are here to report on whe...

www.edbookfest.co.uk

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Reposted by James West

Mother Jones @motherjones.com · Jul 19

NEW: We spoke with the families of some of the men returned to Venezuela tonight after Trump disappeared to El Salvador in March. Horror stories are already emerging.

www.motherjones.com/politics/202...

"We were kidnapped"

On Friday, more than 200 Venezuelans disappeared to a megaprison in El Salvador returned home. The horror stories are already emerging.

www.motherjones.com

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James West @jamespwest.bsky.social · Jun 14

Today I asked protesters in New York City: "What are you worried America is turning into?" Their answers were poignant, and defiant. Watch the video I took (edited by masterful @peter-berger.bsky.social).

Mother Jones @motherjones.com · Jun 14

Hear from marchers at today's vast No Kings rally in New York City: "I'm glad to see everybody out here right now, knowing that people's eyes are open—and they're fighting for what's right."

“That’s Why America Is Great”: New York City Protesters Push Back With Love and Defiance

YouTube video by Mother Jones

youtube.com

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James West @jamespwest.bsky.social · Jun 14

Some final NYC #NoKings photos for you from the protest today. Including one very beleaguered wet dog.

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James West @jamespwest.bsky.social · Jun 14

Here's my dispatch from the big "No Kings" demonstration clowns, singers, drummers, pets, long-time activists, protest neophytes—and an air of defiance, and yes, love.

www.motherjones.com/politics/202...

"That's why America is great": New York City protesters push back with love and defiance.

"Keep fighting for what is right."

www.motherjones.com

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James West @jamespwest.bsky.social · Jun 14

And a quasi clown troupe, because why not.

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James West @jamespwest.bsky.social · Jun 14

It was also massive, despite the persistent drizzle. Here's one vantage point on Fifth Ave.

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James West @jamespwest.bsky.social · Jun 14

Kaylyn Gibilterra, a 35-year-old made 3D-printed handheld cut-out heads of tech bosses—Zuckerberg, Bezos, Musk, and Gates. “It feels very much like we’ve gone back to like a Feudalist state regime,” she told me. “My goal is to hold them more accountable.”

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James West @jamespwest.bsky.social · Jun 14

Alexis Lazo, 23-year-old musical theater student was taking in his first protest. He used to be a self-described “centrist,” but as a child of immigrants, he felt like he could no longer stand on the sidelines. “I can’t just stand by anymore and just kind of like be ignorant."

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James West @jamespwest.bsky.social · Jun 14

Some voices from today:

When I met Monica Pierce, a 55-year-old from Texas with Colombian heritage, she was standing alone with a sign that simply said “NO,” surrounded by colorful string lights. “This means a lot to me,” she said, gazing out on the crowd. “My mom went through a lot to come here.”

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James West @jamespwest.bsky.social · Jun 14

Ellie Dunn is a 27-year-old social worker who is “worried for a country for a country that’s built from immigrants, this being a city that’s driven by immigrants. It’s worrying and unjust.”

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James West @jamespwest.bsky.social · Jun 14

Heading to the NYC #NoKings protest.

Nancy Wilks, a 64yo architect from Brooklyn:

“I’m worried we’re going to lose our rights. The constitution is being trampled on.”

It’s packed here.

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James West @jamespwest.bsky.social · Jun 11

How lovely. Which Garner book?

James West @jamespwest.bsky.social · May 8

Here’s Trump’s secret roadmap for attacking health science, leaked to @motherjones.com’s @jackiefmogensen.bsky.social

Jackie Flynn Mogensen @jackiefmogensen.bsky.social · May 8

NIH is ending funding for research on vaccine hesitancy, the Covid pandemic, gender-affirming care, climate change, DEI, and more.

Here’s the language the agency will require staff to use to describe the cuts, according to a leaked draft guidance memo: www.motherjones.com/politics/202...

Leaked memo reveals details about Trump's war on science at the NIH

On the chopping block for grants: Vaccine hesitancy, the health effects of climate change, gender-affirming care, DEI, research in China, and more.

www.motherjones.com

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James West @jamespwest.bsky.social · May 6

Now there’s an idea!

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James West @jamespwest.bsky.social · May 6

Hi AJ!

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James West @jamespwest.bsky.social · May 6

Journalism like this is hard and expensive. Journalism like this is also under attack. If you like this work, you might consider supporting it secure.motherjones.com/flex/mj/key/...

Support Nonprofit Journalism - Donate to Mother Jones

Help Mother Jones' reporters dig deep with a tax-deductible donation.

secure.motherjones.com

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James West @jamespwest.bsky.social · May 6

I should also add, I think I counted 55 individuals who worked on this project alongside the incredible core reporting team. And that doesn’t count everyone. Attached here are credits from the digital and audio endeavors alone.
I’d love to shout out them all individually!

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James West @jamespwest.bsky.social · May 5

... but there were also six online features and essays; a novel artificial intelligence tool and search portal; promotional video; gorgeous art, in both a wonderfully designed online package and a beautiful edition of the magazine. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...

40 Acres and a Lie

www.motherjones.com

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James West @jamespwest.bsky.social · May 5

Here's the Pulitzer write up: pulitzer.org/finalists/22...

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pulitzer.org

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James West @jamespwest.bsky.social · May 5

Pulitzer judges noted the use of “innovative technology, archival research and personal storytelling to reveal how land titles granted to formerly enslaved Black men and women in the wake of the Civil War were unjustly revoked.” It also recently picked up a duPont and a National Magazine Award.

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James West @jamespwest.bsky.social · May 5

And this 3-part @revealnews.org series is total appointment listening—gripping, emotional, revelatory... podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/4...

40 Acres and a Lie

News Podcast · It’s often thought of as a promise that was never kept. But “40 acres and a mule” was more than that. It was real. 40 Acres and a Lie tells the history of an often-misunderstood governm...

podcasts.apple.com

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James West @jamespwest.bsky.social · May 5

This was truly a massive triumph of reporting and production. Over a 2+ year investigation, the team deployed A.I. to analyze 1.8 million newly digitized records from the Reconstruction-era Freedmen’s Bureau. They then tracked down 41 living descendants and documented stories: 40acresandalie.com

40 Acres and a Lie

40acresandalie.com

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