Margaret Nielsen
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margaretnielsen.bsky.social
Margaret Nielsen
@margaretnielsen.bsky.social
1.9K followers 1K following 290 posts
Retired professor, married, grandmother, post- #polio #disability, social justice and peace advocate
@msunielsen on other social media
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margaretnielsen.bsky.social
Margaret Nielsen @margaretnielsen.bsky.social · Sep 12
Excellent idea - #GrandparentsForVaccines can share experiences from the decades before vaccines could protect us from diseases like measles and polio.
maddow.bsky.social Rachel Maddow @maddow.bsky.social · Sep 8
"The group brings together hundreds of grandparents nationwide who lived through diseases such as polio, tuberculosis and measles — illnesses once thought eliminated in the United States..."

www.kgw.com/article/news...
Grandparents for Vaccines launches to share stories of life before immunizations
New volunteer group aims to educate parents about vaccine importance by sharing personal experiences with preventable diseases.
www.kgw.com
Reposted by Margaret Nielsen
sifill.bsky.social
This is SO important.
December 11, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Reposted by Margaret Nielsen
billiejsweeney.bsky.social
What a powerful piece by @sifill.bsky.social, pulling together the multiple threats to US democracy that have arrived now at the 14th Amendment, the very soul of what we thought America to be.

You have to read the entire article. It’s at once terrifying and inspiring.
mjsdc.bsky.social Mark Joseph Stern @mjsdc.bsky.social · 16h
Excellent stuff from @sifill.bsky.social. "The assault on the 14th Amendment has not generated the kind of moral panic that politicians, journalists, and tech bros successfully created over their claims of First Amendment abuses several years ago..."
sherrilyn.substack.com/p/is-it-too-...
The assault on the 14th Amendment has not generated the kind of moral panic that politicians, journalists, and tech bros successfully created over their claims of First Amendment abuses several years ago. They claimed that the scorn, disparagement, and condemnation they received for posting sexist, racist, and even fascist commentary or for making fascist gestures in public resulted in “cancellation.” Obviously the First Amendment doesn’t protect against people deciding that you are an odious person for publicly posting opinions that embrace eugenicist or misogynistic views, but their outrage was enough to put universities, media platforms, and corporations back on their heels. It was a nasty bit of political manipulation to be sure, but it was effective. The full-on hijacking of the 14th Amendment has not been challenged with commensurate concerted outrage and political clarity. That is because far too many white Americans associate the 14th Amendment’s guarantees of birthright citizenship and equality, as provisions that only protect Black people, migrants, Latino people, and other marginalized groups, rather than as core democracy infrastructure of our Constitution.
December 11, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Reposted by Margaret Nielsen
sifill.bsky.social
“Interim docket.” He-he.
I see you scotusblog.
stevevladeck.bsky.social Steve Vladeck @stevevladeck.bsky.social · 16h
Maybe this new blog can respond, in one of its first posts, to the argument that the term “interim docket” is a deliberately misleading attempt to minimize the (very permanent) doctrinal and real-world consequences of #SCOTUS’s rulings on emergency applications?

www.stevevladeck.com/p/177-the-no...
Picture of tweet announcing SCOTUSblog’s launch of a new “interim docket” blog.
December 11, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Reposted by Margaret Nielsen
reichlinmelnick.bsky.social
🚨Judge Xinis finds that, incredibly, Mr. Abrego Garcia was never ordered deported in 2019. She notes that every since this saga began all the way back in March, the government has NEVER been able to produce any evidence that the immigration judge actually issued a removal order.
B. No Order of Removal Exists for Abrego Garcia No such order of removal exists for Abrego Garcia. When Abrego Garcia was first wrongly expelled to El Salvador, the Court struggled to understand the legal authority for even seizing him in the first place. At the first hearing in Abrego I, the Court inquired of Respondents’ counsel: The Court: I want to ask, though, the very specific question, if there is a final order of removal, what . . . document got this process started? There is no warrant for his arrest by an order of removal. There is no statement of probable cause. There’s no charge. There’s no report that says that anyone saw Mr. Abrego Garcia doing anything illegal or criminal. So what is the actual document that gave these officers the authority to start this process? Counsel: That is not in the record, and the government has not put that into the record. And that’s the best I can do. Abrego I, ECF No. 33 at 21:11–22. The Court continued to press counsel about the existence of a removal order and was told plainly that none can be found: The Court: Okay. So if there’s a Title 8 removal order, there would be an order of removal that’s being executed, and we don’t have one for Mr. Abrego Garcia, right? . . . Do you have that order? . . . Is it in the record? Counsel: I do not have that order. It is not in the record. Id. at 23:7–24:4. Since that time, Respondents have never produced an order of removal despite Abrego Garcia hinging much of his jurisdictional and legal arguments on its non-existence. ECF No. 1 ¶¶ 68–69; ECF No. 32 at 10, 15–17, 27; ECF No. 87 at 11–12. Indeed, Respondents twice sponsored the testimony of ICE officials whose job it is to effectuate removal orders, and who candidly admitted to having never seen one for Abrego Garcia. See ECF No. 107 at 30:16–22 (testimony of Cantú) (“Q: Based upon your many years of experience you described to us, you know what a final order of removal looks like, right, sir? Cantú: I do. Q: And have you seen a final order of removal in regard to Mr. Abrego Garcia? Cantú: I have not.”). See also Abrego I, ECF No. 234 at 46:6–12 (testimony of interim Assistant Director for ICE Removal Operations, Thomas Giles (“Giles”)) (“Q: You have not seen the final order of removal, have you, sir? Giles: What do you mean by that? Q: I mean, you have not seen a piece of paper that represents the final order of removal vis-a-vis Mr. Abrego Garcia, correct? Giles: No, I have not.”).15 Based on this, the Court concludes that no order of removal exists.
December 11, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Reposted by Margaret Nielsen
sherylnyt.bsky.social
Millions of Americans are confronting the highest health insurance costs in years. @reedabelson.bsky.social son explains why. Obamacare subsidies expire in 3 weeks. The clock is ticking on Capitol Hill. Congress may push the issue off until next year.

www.nytimes.com/2025/12/08/h...
Obamacare Users Will Be Asked to Pay More for Plans That Cover Less
www.nytimes.com
December 8, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Reposted by Margaret Nielsen
amymaxmen.bsky.social
RFK laid out his plans to wreck vaccine science & policy in books, speeches, podcasts & films before becoming Health Secretary.

@sherylnyt.bsky.social & @by-cjewett.bsky.social track how he's succeeding in impressive detail. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/u... eg:
In preparation for the session, Dr. Daskalakis, the C.D.C.’s top infectious disease expert, said he asked agency scientists to assess the benefits and risks of thimerosal. Their 17-page report showed that while thimerosal in vaccines given to pregnant women had fallen steadily, autism rates were still rising, suggesting that the preservative was not to blame. The C.D.C. posted the report on its website the night before the meeting. But during the meeting, it suddenly disappeared. An explanation came from Dr. Robert Malone, a close ally of Mr. Kennedy’s and staunch opponent of Covid vaccines who now sits on the committee. “My understanding,” Dr. Malone said, “is that article was not authorized by the office of the secretary, and has been removed.” Mr. Kennedy said in the interview that he was not aware of the document.
December 4, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Reposted by Margaret Nielsen
sherylnyt.bsky.social
NEW: An inside look at how RFK Jr. has walled himself off from government scientists and installed old allies in key positions to advance the vaccine agenda that has animated him for 20 years. "Vaccines must be a culprit," he told me.
w/ @by-cjewett.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/u...
Inside Kennedy’s Methodical Quest to Shake Up America’s Vaccine System
www.nytimes.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Reposted by Margaret Nielsen
npr.org
New court documents reveal a list of nearly 200 words or phrases the Trump administration told Head Start programs it does not want to see in their funding requests. n.pr/497P6C4
Head Start centers told to avoid 'disability,' 'women' and more in funding requests
New court documents reveal a list of nearly 200 words or phrases the Trump administration told Head Start programs it does not want to see in their funding requests.
n.pr
December 11, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Reposted by Margaret Nielsen
npr.org
With ACA tax credits set to expire, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen says premiums are "doubling, tripling" and warns "millions" could lose coverage if Congress fails to act.
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen warns millions could lose coverage as ACA votes near defeat
With ACA tax credits set to expire, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen says premiums are "doubling, tripling" and warns "millions" could lose coverage if Congress fails to act.
n.pr
December 11, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Reposted by Margaret Nielsen
bcfinucane.bsky.social
Pleased to speak with @nikkimcr.bsky.social about the boat strikes and the law.

“There is no armed conflict, right? And outside of armed conflict, the term for premeditated killing is murder.”
December 10, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Reposted by Margaret Nielsen
fcnl.bsky.social
The Trump administration's murderous boat strikes should be a "wake-up call" for Congress, @elizabethrb.bsky.social writes.

It's time for lawmakers to "put real checks on executive killing power, and to finally dismantle the remnants of the War on Terror once and for all."
The War on Terror Set the Stage for Deadly Caribbean Boat Strikes
The recent deadly strikes on alleged drug-running boats in the Caribbean happened thanks to the war on terror's legacy.
inkstickmedia.com
December 10, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Reposted by Margaret Nielsen
winwithoutwar.bsky.social
Congress is voting today on a bill that would authorize nearly a trillion dollars for Pete Hegseth's Pentagon. We don't think lawless killings abroad and repression at home should be rewarded with a blank check. Our statement urging Congress to vote no:
Win Without War Urges Congress: Vote Down More Money and Power for Hegseth’s Pentagon Washington – Win Without War Government Relations Director Eric Eikenberry made the following statement in advance of House and Senate votes on the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2026: “On this year’s NDAA, Congress has a straightforward choice. Do lawmakers confront the use of our military for extrajudicial killings abroad and repression at home with the urgency required? Or do they take a ‘business-as-usual’ approach and authorize nearly a trillion dollars for Secretary of Defense Hegseth’s Pentagon? “Win Without War urges members to unite against the unprecedented power grab that President Trump and his crony Hegseth are attempting, and vote ‘NO’. “This call comes despite several worthy, individual provisions in the final bill text. In particular, we welcome the long-awaited repeal of the 2002 and 1991 authorizations for use of military force against Iraq. And we thank many congressional champions, including Representatives Meeks and Roy, Senators Kaine and Young, and former Congresswoman Barbara Lee, for working year after year to push their reluctant colleagues to exercise Congress’ constitutional duty to decide when and whether the United States goes to war. “Yet ultimately, that and other constructive provisions are overshadowed by the harm, Pentagon bloat, and waste this bill will again facilitate. “This NDAA simply cannot be cordoned off from our current reality, in which Trump and Hegseth deploy the National Guard to our cities to intimidate and silence our communities, while simultaneously order our servicemembers to commit extrajudicial killings in waters off of Latin America and court an unauthorized war with Venezuela. “The bill may be mammoth and complex, but the choice is simple: vote no.”
December 10, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Reposted by Margaret Nielsen
ramirez.house.gov
Our neighbors, no matter their citizenship or immigration status, are being detained by DHS simply because of the color of their skin. Even after release, many live in fear.

DHS is an unaccountable agency, terrorizing our communities and violating our Constitutional rights.
washingtonpost.com The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · 4d
The Post identified cases of U.S. citizens being targeted by immigration enforcement agents that are documented in video and witness accounts. Lawyers and community leaders said there are many others involving people too frightened to come forward.
The U.S. citizens getting caught in Trump’s immigration crackdown
Latinos describe being detained and assaulted by officers who want to know: “Where were you born?”
www.washingtonpost.com
December 9, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Reposted by Margaret Nielsen
fcnl.bsky.social
New: We joined 130 organizations in denouncing the Trump administration's scapegoating and vilification of Afghans, Somalis, refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants writ large.

The majority of Americans want immigration policies based on fairness & compassion, not cruelty, racism, & xenophobia.
rcusa.bsky.social Refugee Council USA @rcusa.bsky.social · 2d
RCUSA joins 130 organizations calling on the administration to reverse harmful policies targeting refugee and immigrant communities.

Read our full statement: https://rcusa.org/news-and-media/130-organizations-urge-administration-to-reverse-harmful-policies-attacking-refugee-immigrant-communities/
Graphic with text stating '130 Organizations Urge to Reverse Harmful Policies Attacking Refugee, Immigrant Communities,' featuring the logo of Refugee Council USA.
December 9, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Reposted by Margaret Nielsen
fcnl.bsky.social
🔋🌎A victory for our planet -- and "everyone who pays an electricity bill:"

Judge Tosses Trump Ban on New Wind Energy Projects
'Victory for Everyone Who Pays an Electricity Bill': Judge Tosses Trump Ban on New Wind Energy Projects | Common Dreams
Federal judge throws out Trump's ban on new wind power projects in the US. Clean energy advocates celebrate victory for affordable, reliable energy.
www.commondreams.org
December 9, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Reposted by Margaret Nielsen
prchovanec.bsky.social
The entire White House press corps is built around the premise that what the President and his spokespeople say is real-world news, not complete fantasy.

The premise has become fatally flawed.
December 11, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Reposted by Margaret Nielsen
mjsdc.bsky.social
This is really incredible. The government's battle to deport Abrego Garcia has apparently been based on a lie from the start. Not even the "gang affiliation" lie or the "human smuggling" lie, but the more basic assertion that he was ordered to be deported in the first place.
reichlinmelnick.bsky.social Aaron Reichlin-Melnick @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social · 15h
🚨Judge Xinis finds that, incredibly, Mr. Abrego Garcia was never ordered deported in 2019. She notes that every since this saga began all the way back in March, the government has NEVER been able to produce any evidence that the immigration judge actually issued a removal order.
B. No Order of Removal Exists for Abrego Garcia No such order of removal exists for Abrego Garcia. When Abrego Garcia was first wrongly expelled to El Salvador, the Court struggled to understand the legal authority for even seizing him in the first place. At the first hearing in Abrego I, the Court inquired of Respondents’ counsel: The Court: I want to ask, though, the very specific question, if there is a final order of removal, what . . . document got this process started? There is no warrant for his arrest by an order of removal. There is no statement of probable cause. There’s no charge. There’s no report that says that anyone saw Mr. Abrego Garcia doing anything illegal or criminal. So what is the actual document that gave these officers the authority to start this process? Counsel: That is not in the record, and the government has not put that into the record. And that’s the best I can do. Abrego I, ECF No. 33 at 21:11–22. The Court continued to press counsel about the existence of a removal order and was told plainly that none can be found: The Court: Okay. So if there’s a Title 8 removal order, there would be an order of removal that’s being executed, and we don’t have one for Mr. Abrego Garcia, right? . . . Do you have that order? . . . Is it in the record? Counsel: I do not have that order. It is not in the record. Id. at 23:7–24:4. Since that time, Respondents have never produced an order of removal despite Abrego Garcia hinging much of his jurisdictional and legal arguments on its non-existence. ECF No. 1 ¶¶ 68–69; ECF No. 32 at 10, 15–17, 27; ECF No. 87 at 11–12. Indeed, Respondents twice sponsored the testimony of ICE officials whose job it is to effectuate removal orders, and who candidly admitted to having never seen one for Abrego Garcia. See ECF No. 107 at 30:16–22 (testimony of Cantú) (“Q: Based upon your many years of experience you described to us, you know what a final order of removal looks like, right, sir? Cantú: I do. Q: And have you seen a final order of removal in regard to Mr. Abrego Garcia? Cantú: I have not.”). See also Abrego I, ECF No. 234 at 46:6–12 (testimony of interim Assistant Director for ICE Removal Operations, Thomas Giles (“Giles”)) (“Q: You have not seen the final order of removal, have you, sir? Giles: What do you mean by that? Q: I mean, you have not seen a piece of paper that represents the final order of removal vis-a-vis Mr. Abrego Garcia, correct? Giles: No, I have not.”).15 Based on this, the Court concludes that no order of removal exists.
December 11, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Reposted by Margaret Nielsen
chrislhayes.bsky.social
Trump 0-3 on indicting Tish James and just had his ass handed to him by Indiana Republican legislators he threatened and bullied. Also new low in AP poll at 36% approval.
December 11, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Reposted by Margaret Nielsen
mjsdc.bsky.social
Excellent stuff from @sifill.bsky.social. "The assault on the 14th Amendment has not generated the kind of moral panic that politicians, journalists, and tech bros successfully created over their claims of First Amendment abuses several years ago..."
sherrilyn.substack.com/p/is-it-too-...
The assault on the 14th Amendment has not generated the kind of moral panic that politicians, journalists, and tech bros successfully created over their claims of First Amendment abuses several years ago. They claimed that the scorn, disparagement, and condemnation they received for posting sexist, racist, and even fascist commentary or for making fascist gestures in public resulted in “cancellation.” Obviously the First Amendment doesn’t protect against people deciding that you are an odious person for publicly posting opinions that embrace eugenicist or misogynistic views, but their outrage was enough to put universities, media platforms, and corporations back on their heels. It was a nasty bit of political manipulation to be sure, but it was effective. The full-on hijacking of the 14th Amendment has not been challenged with commensurate concerted outrage and political clarity. That is because far too many white Americans associate the 14th Amendment’s guarantees of birthright citizenship and equality, as provisions that only protect Black people, migrants, Latino people, and other marginalized groups, rather than as core democracy infrastructure of our Constitution.
December 11, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Reposted by Margaret Nielsen
talkingpointsmemo.com
On December 1, the Trump administration fired eight immigration judges in New York City without warning or explanation. President Trump has now fired around 1 in 7 of all immigration judges nationwide since reentering the White House in January.
talkingpointsmemo.com/cafe/trump-h...
Trump Has Never Been Clearer About What an Immigration Judge’s Real Job Is
This article is part of TPM Cafe, TPM’s home for opinion and news analysis....
talkingpointsmemo.com
December 4, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Reposted by Margaret Nielsen
sifill.bsky.social
Exactly. And this has been true of much of the Republican Party for some time.
victorerikray.bsky.social Victor Ray @victorerikray.bsky.social · 18h
This is a fault line I wrote about for @liberalcurrents.com.

The right is united in their bigotry but divided over the best way to express it.
December 11, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Reposted by Margaret Nielsen
mostlymammoths.bsky.social
“…this Supreme Court, which now believes that it has the power not only to say what the law is but to say what the facts are, decides that it can see the facts better.” @sifill.bsky.social
allinwithchris.bsky.social All In with Chris Hayes @allinwithchris.bsky.social · 2d
WATCH: The Supreme Court heard oral arguments to knock out the last remaining campaign finance regulations in the country—in a case brought by JD Vance. Renowned civil rights attorney Sherrilyn Ifill joins to discuss.
JD Vance’s Supreme Court SHOWDOWN could upend midterm campaign finance rules
YouTube video by MS NOW
www.youtube.com
December 11, 2025 at 3:32 AM
Reposted by Margaret Nielsen
jaywillis.net
Trying to guess now how many sitting Supreme Court justices want to attend Trump rallies and would if they thought they could get away with it. I think my answer is five. It’s definitely not less than four.
Emil Bove Will Always Be a Trump Rallygoer First
Trump demands loyalty from his judicial nominees. As Emil Bove demonstrated on Tuesday, his nominees are very comfortable with displaying that loyalty in public.
ballsandstrikes.org
December 11, 2025 at 3:11 AM
Reposted by Margaret Nielsen
larrylevitt.bsky.social
The looming expiration of enhanced ACA tax credits, would cause out-of-pocket premiums to increase by 114% on average.

The Senate Democratic plan would avert the increase in premium payments.

The Republican plan would not, but cushions the effect with health savings accounts.
December 11, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Reposted by Margaret Nielsen
ddiamond.bsky.social
Helpful tips for reporters from Poynter, especially in the Trump era when this is increasingly common.

(Example: tried to interview Kari Lake at the Kennedy Center. She began with a series of insults, invited a nearby conservative reporter to denounce us too, and then got an aide to record us.)
poynterinstitute.bsky.social The Poynter Institute @poynterinstitute.bsky.social · 2d
Sooner or later, most journalists will face a moment when someone in power makes them the story, writes Poynter’s senior vice president and ethics chair Kelly McBride.

How should journalists respond to personal attacks from powerful people? Here are some tips: www.poynter.org/ethics-trust...
When powerful people bully the press, they’re really trying to silence the public - Poynter
What looks like a personal attack is often an intimidation tactic aimed at the entire press and the people it serves
www.poynter.org
December 10, 2025 at 3:20 PM