Matthew Borus
@matthewborus.bsky.social
Sociologist, social work faculty
Posting topics include community, disability, social welfare, Chicago, social movements, organizing, policy, the state, labor, coffee, and various nerdy side trips. Personal account
Posting topics include community, disability, social welfare, Chicago, social movements, organizing, policy, the state, labor, coffee, and various nerdy side trips. Personal account
Pinned
Matthew Borus
@matthewborus.bsky.social
· Feb 26
Cutting Medicaid and federal programs are among 4 key Trump administration policy changes that could make life harder for disabled people
Tracking disability policies has long been challenging − this will become a harder task under the Trump administration.
theconversation.com
New from me: A look at four (of many) areas where Trump and his GOP allies threaten to roll back disability policy:
-Disability rights at work
-Cuts to the federal workforce
-Education
-Health care, both in terms of the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid
Please check it out!
-Disability rights at work
-Cuts to the federal workforce
-Education
-Health care, both in terms of the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid
Please check it out!
Reposted by Matthew Borus
What these goons don't seem to realize is that decades of neoliberal policies have forced the work of care downstream--from the state onto families, and then onto women, who've had to get very good at caring for others through the crises that those same neoliberal policies tend to create.
I mostly just stay off Twitter altogether but after double checking that the Walter Hudson post was still up I ran across this and just had to share so the Romancelandians who bought hand warmers could hear about the PROFESSIONAL GRADE LOGISTICS.
January 26, 2026 at 12:09 PM
What these goons don't seem to realize is that decades of neoliberal policies have forced the work of care downstream--from the state onto families, and then onto women, who've had to get very good at caring for others through the crises that those same neoliberal policies tend to create.
Reposted by Matthew Borus
We join our union siblings across the country in mourning the senseless killing by federal agents of Alex Pretti, and in calling for accountability, justice and an end to this campaign of terror.
America’s unions mourn the senseless killing by federal agents of our AFGE Local 3669 union brother and VA nurse Alex Jeffrey Pretti.
We reiterate our call for ICE to immediately leave Minnesota before anyone else is hurt or killed.
https://bit.ly/4pVTpFO
We reiterate our call for ICE to immediately leave Minnesota before anyone else is hurt or killed.
https://bit.ly/4pVTpFO
January 25, 2026 at 10:04 PM
We join our union siblings across the country in mourning the senseless killing by federal agents of Alex Pretti, and in calling for accountability, justice and an end to this campaign of terror.
Reposted by Matthew Borus
Wise words from WEB DuBois to gird us today: "It would be shame and cowardice to surrender this glorious land and its opportunities for civilization and humanity to the thugs and lynchers, the mobs and profiteers, the monopolists & gamblers who today choke its soul and steal its resources."
January 22, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Wise words from WEB DuBois to gird us today: "It would be shame and cowardice to surrender this glorious land and its opportunities for civilization and humanity to the thugs and lynchers, the mobs and profiteers, the monopolists & gamblers who today choke its soul and steal its resources."
Reposted by Matthew Borus
MAGA mistook caring about people for weakness, and is uncomfortable seeing that it’s strength.
January 26, 2026 at 1:59 AM
MAGA mistook caring about people for weakness, and is uncomfortable seeing that it’s strength.
This is a great list of initial steps to try to repair damage done over the past year.
I’d add restoring jobs within the social agencies that Trump and Musk have gutted, like Social Security, USAID, and ED. And ideally build their capacity further—they were already stretched before this.
I’d add restoring jobs within the social agencies that Trump and Musk have gutted, like Social Security, USAID, and ED. And ideally build their capacity further—they were already stretched before this.
- cancel all EOs
- fire political appointees
- strip clearances
- appoint special prosecutor for DHS
- hire a zillion IGs
- investigate and prosecute crimes
- investigate and refer policy violations for disciplinary action
- recode ICE and CBP jobs out of 1811 series
- revert name changes
- fire political appointees
- strip clearances
- appoint special prosecutor for DHS
- hire a zillion IGs
- investigate and prosecute crimes
- investigate and refer policy violations for disciplinary action
- recode ICE and CBP jobs out of 1811 series
- revert name changes
January 26, 2026 at 1:03 AM
This is a great list of initial steps to try to repair damage done over the past year.
I’d add restoring jobs within the social agencies that Trump and Musk have gutted, like Social Security, USAID, and ED. And ideally build their capacity further—they were already stretched before this.
I’d add restoring jobs within the social agencies that Trump and Musk have gutted, like Social Security, USAID, and ED. And ideally build their capacity further—they were already stretched before this.
But if we didn’t have some kind of immigration enforcement, what would happen?
A bunch of people who’ve lived here for years wouldn’t fear deportation? Labor and community orgs would be stronger thanks to that lack of fear? Abusers couldn’t threaten to call ICE?
Honestly seems win/win.
A bunch of people who’ve lived here for years wouldn’t fear deportation? Labor and community orgs would be stronger thanks to that lack of fear? Abusers couldn’t threaten to call ICE?
Honestly seems win/win.
January 25, 2026 at 11:25 PM
But if we didn’t have some kind of immigration enforcement, what would happen?
A bunch of people who’ve lived here for years wouldn’t fear deportation? Labor and community orgs would be stronger thanks to that lack of fear? Abusers couldn’t threaten to call ICE?
Honestly seems win/win.
A bunch of people who’ve lived here for years wouldn’t fear deportation? Labor and community orgs would be stronger thanks to that lack of fear? Abusers couldn’t threaten to call ICE?
Honestly seems win/win.
Went outside about 20 minutes ago, where it looked like 8 or more inches already. (I'm in upstate New York, away from the Lakes.)
So apparently there’s a 2 out of 3 chance that my city will get 12 to 18 inches.
And a much greater chance that we’ll get over 18 than that we’ll get less than 12.
And a much greater chance that we’ll get over 18 than that we’ll get less than 12.
January 25, 2026 at 8:57 PM
Went outside about 20 minutes ago, where it looked like 8 or more inches already. (I'm in upstate New York, away from the Lakes.)
I'm teaching some org theory this week, and I've been wondering if discussion of the public sector will hit at all, given how prominent the repressive hands of the state are.
So I'm glad to have a counter-example of basic sewer (or snowplow) socialism, articulated by a young mayor who knows comms.
So I'm glad to have a counter-example of basic sewer (or snowplow) socialism, articulated by a young mayor who knows comms.
We're getting a snowstorm tomorrow. But New York City is prepared.
January 25, 2026 at 7:36 PM
I'm teaching some org theory this week, and I've been wondering if discussion of the public sector will hit at all, given how prominent the repressive hands of the state are.
So I'm glad to have a counter-example of basic sewer (or snowplow) socialism, articulated by a young mayor who knows comms.
So I'm glad to have a counter-example of basic sewer (or snowplow) socialism, articulated by a young mayor who knows comms.
This is a bald-faced lie attempting to cover up a murder.
Also, this buffoon doesn’t appear to know what obfuscate means. The word makes no sense in this sentence.
As inept as he is authoritarian.
Also, this buffoon doesn’t appear to know what obfuscate means. The word makes no sense in this sentence.
As inept as he is authoritarian.
January 25, 2026 at 7:18 PM
This is a bald-faced lie attempting to cover up a murder.
Also, this buffoon doesn’t appear to know what obfuscate means. The word makes no sense in this sentence.
As inept as he is authoritarian.
Also, this buffoon doesn’t appear to know what obfuscate means. The word makes no sense in this sentence.
As inept as he is authoritarian.
Apropos of other posts about how broadly furious people are…
The r/nursing subreddit, which has over half a million visitors a week, is now displaying Alex Pretti’s work photo as its thumbnail.
The r/nursing subreddit, which has over half a million visitors a week, is now displaying Alex Pretti’s work photo as its thumbnail.
January 25, 2026 at 5:29 PM
Apropos of other posts about how broadly furious people are…
The r/nursing subreddit, which has over half a million visitors a week, is now displaying Alex Pretti’s work photo as its thumbnail.
The r/nursing subreddit, which has over half a million visitors a week, is now displaying Alex Pretti’s work photo as its thumbnail.
So apparently there’s a 2 out of 3 chance that my city will get 12 to 18 inches.
And a much greater chance that we’ll get over 18 than that we’ll get less than 12.
And a much greater chance that we’ll get over 18 than that we’ll get less than 12.
January 25, 2026 at 4:51 PM
So apparently there’s a 2 out of 3 chance that my city will get 12 to 18 inches.
And a much greater chance that we’ll get over 18 than that we’ll get less than 12.
And a much greater chance that we’ll get over 18 than that we’ll get less than 12.
Reposted by Matthew Borus
DHS has shot 12 people during immigration enforcement operations since September:
January 25, 2026 at 4:27 PM
DHS has shot 12 people during immigration enforcement operations since September:
Ninguém solta a mão de ninguém.
No one lets go of any one's hand.
No one lets go of any one's hand.
January 25, 2026 at 1:20 AM
Ninguém solta a mão de ninguém.
No one lets go of any one's hand.
No one lets go of any one's hand.
Reposted by Matthew Borus
As well as the movement as a whole.
What a stark, horrifying demonstration of the tension a union opens itself to when it organizes security forces.
If you hesitate to condemn the killing of a member, for fear of alienating the members who fired the guns, what sort of cage have you built around your union?
If you hesitate to condemn the killing of a member, for fear of alienating the members who fired the guns, what sort of cage have you built around your union?
My god.
Statement from AFGE: Alex was a member. His killer may have been as well.
Statement from AFGE: Alex was a member. His killer may have been as well.
January 24, 2026 at 9:54 PM
As well as the movement as a whole.
What a stark, horrifying demonstration of the tension a union opens itself to when it organizes security forces.
If you hesitate to condemn the killing of a member, for fear of alienating the members who fired the guns, what sort of cage have you built around your union?
If you hesitate to condemn the killing of a member, for fear of alienating the members who fired the guns, what sort of cage have you built around your union?
My god.
Statement from AFGE: Alex was a member. His killer may have been as well.
Statement from AFGE: Alex was a member. His killer may have been as well.
January 24, 2026 at 9:46 PM
What a stark, horrifying demonstration of the tension a union opens itself to when it organizes security forces.
If you hesitate to condemn the killing of a member, for fear of alienating the members who fired the guns, what sort of cage have you built around your union?
If you hesitate to condemn the killing of a member, for fear of alienating the members who fired the guns, what sort of cage have you built around your union?
This killing is many things, but by their own description, it is NOT a case of untrained new agents.
January 24, 2026 at 8:57 PM
This killing is many things, but by their own description, it is NOT a case of untrained new agents.
Calling members of Congress to say "Please don't fund this government agency that is killing people in the street" feels profoundly absurd.
But it's where we've been for a while, and it's where we are in even more heightened ways today. And so we make the calls and keep organizing.
But it's where we've been for a while, and it's where we are in even more heightened ways today. And so we make the calls and keep organizing.
January 24, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Calling members of Congress to say "Please don't fund this government agency that is killing people in the street" feels profoundly absurd.
But it's where we've been for a while, and it's where we are in even more heightened ways today. And so we make the calls and keep organizing.
But it's where we've been for a while, and it's where we are in even more heightened ways today. And so we make the calls and keep organizing.
Reposted by Matthew Borus
It seems clear Alex Pretti, a healthcare worker, was murdered for engaging in the exact kind of community care we hope all care workers to embody: the kind that doesn’t stop at the threshold of the hospital, the clinic, but that aims to care for and support the community where and how they can
January 24, 2026 at 7:05 PM
It seems clear Alex Pretti, a healthcare worker, was murdered for engaging in the exact kind of community care we hope all care workers to embody: the kind that doesn’t stop at the threshold of the hospital, the clinic, but that aims to care for and support the community where and how they can
Reposted by Matthew Borus
He was a nurse.
The Strib has identified him. Alex Pretti. Another 37-year-old executed for standing up for our immigrant neighbors. For shame.
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
January 24, 2026 at 6:55 PM
He was a nurse.
Hearing this from a police chief is honestly kind of surprising, and speaks to how far outside the pale DHS is operating.
Minneapolis Police Chief O'Hara: "The video speaks for itself. We have identified this person - 37-year-old, white male, resident of the city. The only interaction that we are aware of with law enforcement has been for traffic tickets and we believe he is a lawfully gun owner with a permit to carry"
January 24, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Hearing this from a police chief is honestly kind of surprising, and speaks to how far outside the pale DHS is operating.
The claim that he had a gun.
The claim that a gun somehow was reason to shoot him after wrestling him to the ground.
The claim that there was any reason for heavily armed goons to approach him.
The claim that ICE should even be on the streets.
NONE of these should be accepted at face value.
The claim that a gun somehow was reason to shoot him after wrestling him to the ground.
The claim that there was any reason for heavily armed goons to approach him.
The claim that ICE should even be on the streets.
NONE of these should be accepted at face value.
January 24, 2026 at 5:45 PM
The claim that he had a gun.
The claim that a gun somehow was reason to shoot him after wrestling him to the ground.
The claim that there was any reason for heavily armed goons to approach him.
The claim that ICE should even be on the streets.
NONE of these should be accepted at face value.
The claim that a gun somehow was reason to shoot him after wrestling him to the ground.
The claim that there was any reason for heavily armed goons to approach him.
The claim that ICE should even be on the streets.
NONE of these should be accepted at face value.
"A video taken from inside a bakery shows agents wrestling a man to the ground then shooting him multiple times." -the @startribune.com
This is horrifying, and I'd urge folks to think twice before watching it. The choice is obviously yours, but seeing that can hurt you.
We know that DHS kills.
This is horrifying, and I'd urge folks to think twice before watching it. The choice is obviously yours, but seeing that can hurt you.
We know that DHS kills.
January 24, 2026 at 5:12 PM
"A video taken from inside a bakery shows agents wrestling a man to the ground then shooting him multiple times." -the @startribune.com
This is horrifying, and I'd urge folks to think twice before watching it. The choice is obviously yours, but seeing that can hurt you.
We know that DHS kills.
This is horrifying, and I'd urge folks to think twice before watching it. The choice is obviously yours, but seeing that can hurt you.
We know that DHS kills.
Reposted by Matthew Borus
I do not regret to inform you that we are going to win.
January 23, 2026 at 10:20 PM
I do not regret to inform you that we are going to win.
Lemon, it’s January 23rd.
January 24, 2026 at 2:09 AM
Lemon, it’s January 23rd.
Reposted by Matthew Borus
I'm not one for false optimism. But what I witnessed today in Minneapolis was tremendous, both in scale and exuberance. It was a stunning answer to the federal assault on Minnesota, a show of solidarity that gives us something to hold on to during times that are unforgiving.
“Everybody Showed Up”: Stunning Crowds at Minnesota Day of Strike and Shutdown Against ICE
Extreme cold didn't stop the shutdown on Friday as some 100 faith leaders were arrested, residents stayed home from work, and an estimated 50,000 or more marched through downtown Minneapolis.
inthesetimes.com
January 24, 2026 at 12:42 AM
I'm not one for false optimism. But what I witnessed today in Minneapolis was tremendous, both in scale and exuberance. It was a stunning answer to the federal assault on Minnesota, a show of solidarity that gives us something to hold on to during times that are unforgiving.